Govt issues point by point clarification on three Bills
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 07 2015: Government of Manipur on Monday issued a clarification on the three Bills recently passed by the Manipur Assembly responding to the points raised by the tribal communities.

Allaying all fears, the press note issued by Secretary to the Chief Minister N Ashok Kumar said those living in the tribal areas have been "misinformed" about the Bills.

This has led to untoward incidents which had caused loss of lives and property after passing of the three Bills - The Protection of Manipur People (PMP) Bill, 2015; The Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms (MLR&R) (7th Amendment) Bill 2015 and The Manipur Shops and Establishment (MS&E) (2nd Amendment) Bill 2015 .

The clarification said that the MLR&LR (7th Amendment) Bill, 2015 was passed in order to regulate the purchase and sale of land to Non Manipur Persons under the MLR&LR Act existing within its own jurisdiction.

"The public especially in the hill areas has been misinformed by a misunderstanding that MLR&LR Act is being enforced in the tribal areas.

These Bills do not affect the tribal areas of Manipur rather it is intended to introduce a mechanism for purchase and sale of land by and to Non Manipur Persons under MLR&LR Act where it has been enforced", said the clarification from the State Government.

The proposed insertion of the section 14A by the Amendment Bill is that in the event of any compelling circumstances whereby if any Non Manipur person, firms or any other entity or any Government institution etc., intends to purchase the land in Manipur, he shall submit his application in the prescribed form to the Deputy Commissioner of the District concerned and the Deputy Commissioner shall solicit recommendation from Local Body/Local Self Government and submit the application along with the report of such inquiry to the Government.

The State Government shall process the matter for the approval of the Cabinet.

This is just a regulatory mechanism to be implemented as and when the need arises, said the press note.

All the insertions/amendments will take place only in the areas where the MLR&LR Act are already enforced and will in no case affect the tribal areas, said the Government release.

"It is true that this was not referred to the Hill Areas Committee because the matter is not a Scheduled Matter as laid down in the Second Schedule to the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) order 1972 issued under Art 371-C and was not intended to be enforced in the Hill areas of Manipur.

Further the Protection of Manipur People Bill is a money bill, hence not required to refer to Hill Area Committee," said the clarification.

The Government appealed all the people of Manipur especially in the hill areas to appreciate the provision thoroughly and "not to be misled by propaganda/rumours which will lead to loss of lives and destruction of properties, to keep calm and work together for peaceful co-existence in the State" .

The clarification further appealed all stakeholders that the State Government is open to suggestions from all sides for any deletion/amendment/insertion/modification of any provision in the Bills and ensure that the rights of all is protected.

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