Tamenglong consultation meet says 'No' to NLUP
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei
Tamenglong, July 16 2014:
A one-day consultation on Land and Natural Resources related polices, laws, Acts and rules held at UBC hall, Tamenglong unanimously say 'No' to the proposed New Land Use Policy (NLUP) to be implemented by the State government.
The consultation jointly organised by Village Authority Chairmen Council Tamenglong, Zeliangrong Students' Union Tamenglong District, Zeliangrong Youth Front Tamenglong Zone and Village Volunteer Development Manipur cautioned the government not to take further steps to implement the NLUP, 2014 .
On the Draft Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Social Impact Assessment and Consent)(Manipur) Rules 2014, the meet observed that the drafting committees of such Rules/Act must be essentially multi-disciplinary and include subject experts who take into consideration the concerns and vulnerabilities of women, children and other disadvantaged sections of population.
With regard to the present (Approach Paper) Manipur New Land Use Policy/Project, the meet alleged it is not based on any national or international public policy framework, principles or guidelines that are conventionally applied, whether in intent, process or content.
The meet also resolved that from a traditional, democratic and principled process that is in practice till today, this document is not approved and hereby rejected in toto.
The meet viewed the present notified Draft Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Social Impact Assessment and Consent)(Manipur) Rules, 2014 and maintained that the present Draft Rules need to be very minutely, clause by clause, examined by everyone including the leaders.
It also said that the present Draft Rules must be made available in every nook and corner of Tamenglong District and all other Districts in a language that is accessible to everyone, added that the process of public consultation must be transparent and inclusive with extension of very adequate time to read.
Former Deputy Commissioner Tamenglong Dichamang Pamei, Dr.Proff.
Thuanliang Economic Department Tamenglong College and Dr.Roy laifungbam, President, Elder Council, CORE attended the consultation meet as resource persons.