In response to criticism of the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion Facilitation Act (MSIPFA) of 2024, Paul Lyngdoh, the UDP representative in the Cabinet, has called on opponents to suggest viable alternatives. The MSIPFA empowers the Invest Meghalaya Authority (IMA) to acquire land and lease it to private investors as part of the government’s incentive plans. Lyngdoh emphasized the need for constructive feedback, encouraging stakeholders to propose better frameworks if they believe the current policy is flawed.
Lyngdoh, who also serves as the tourism minister, underlined the importance of collaboration, suggesting that consultations with stakeholders could enhance policy aspects needing refinement. He quoted the adage about “the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement” to highlight the potential for policy evolution. Highlighting the living nature of parliamentary democracy, he pointed out that even the Indian Constitution has been amended multiple times, suggesting that the MSIPFA could undergo similar modifications if needed.
Addressing concerns, Lyngdoh clarified misconceptions about land ownership, explaining that the government’s role would be to lease, not sell, land to private entities. The Act includes provisions supporting the green economy and local job reservations. Lyngdoh advocated for local entrepreneurship, encouraging 500 to 1,000 local entrepreneurs to utilize the policy to form companies and lease land, citing ongoing initiatives like the New Shillong Township Agency and government land banks as precedents.
He assured that while private investors may lease the land, ownership would remain with the government, as shown by tourism projects in Sohra and Polo. Lyngdoh’s strategic appeal seeks to balance investment opportunities with preserving government-owned land, urging a collective effort for policy improvement and local economic empowerment.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/12/31/paul-not-in-sync-with-udp-stand-on-investment-plan/
Category : MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2024-12-31 01:49:00
