Meghalaya examines work permit report to check migrants

Shillong, Aug 11 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy today said his government was examining the report submitted by the Cabinet Committee on Influx (CCI) to deal with the bourgeoning problems of migrants, even as the government beefed up security to check Bangladeshi immigrants in the state.

The Khasi Student's Union, which is asking for immediate introduction of work permit, threatened to agitate if the government failed to implement the system of work permit for labourers from outside the state.

In fact, Minster in-charge of urban affairs Paul Lyngdoh, who headed the CCI, had submitted the report to the previous Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance suggesting that the existing Inter-State workmen Regulation Act, 1979 (Amended in 1985) be amended.

Apart from amending the existing Act, the Committee also suggested mandatory registration of the labour contractors with the District Council and issuance of work permits for the labourers.

The permits have to be renewed every 179 days so that they cannot claim the rights of permanent residency - as per the existing laws any Indian citizen, who resides at place for over six months may apply for permanent residency, the report said.

''Yes, the Committee had submitted the report to the previous government and my government is still examining it,'' Dr Roy told UNI here.

The Chief Minister also informed that he has directed the state police to be on high alert to check the possible movement of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from Assam.

However, KSU president Samuel Jyrwa claimed that the process of preparing work permits was completed by the previous government.

''The previous government had decided to implement the report, but this government has not considered implementation of the work permit system,'' Mr Jyrwa said, adding that if the government fails to introduce it, the KSU have no option but to launch a mass-scale agitation in the state.

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