Meghalaya Tourism notifies on newly amended Residents Act

Guwahati: After the much-talked about Meghalaya Residents Security and Safety ordinance 2019 which seeks mandatory registration of visitors who intend to spend more than 24 hours in the state, Meghalaya Tourism brought out a notice on how the modalities of the implementation of the ordinance have not been finalised and hence the registration process has not yet begun.

Stating that the modalities of the ordinance has not yet been finalised, the notification said, “As of now the registration process has not begun.”

It added that the registration process will be designed keeping in mind the convenience of the tourists and available both online and offline. Also, the tourism department clarified that “there will be no need to stand or wait in queues when you enter the state.”

The amended Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Bill 2019 which was approved last week by the Meghalaya state cabinet is set to create the existing Act in the form of an ordinance to keep tabs on illegal immigrants.

The Bill is intended to monitor like Inner line permit(ILP) where several pressure groups in the state such as Khasi Students’ Union and Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (COMSO) have for long demanded.

Earlier deputy chief ministry Prestone Tynsong informed the amendment of the existing act in the form of an ordinance will come into force immediately and shall be regularised in the next Assembly session

Meanwhile, Congress legislative party leader Mukul Sangma disapproved the amended Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Bill (MRRSA) and sought for the Act of 2016 (where instructions were issued to all the landlords to register tenants) to be implemented in the state.

Also, it was earlier clarified by the deputy chief minister that the permanent non-tribals residing in the state will not fall under the purview of the newly amended act.