Shillong: The Meghalaya Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, removing provisions related to the creation of land banks.
The move comes in response to widespread opposition from various groups, including NGOs.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma introduced the amendment during the concluding session of the 10-day budget session.
The Bill received support from both ruling and opposition members, who lauded the government’s responsiveness to the voices of the people.
The amendment eliminates the provision for “creation of land-banks through direct purchase of land or other means” from the original legislation.
The chief minister clarified that the Meghalaya Investment Promotion Authority (MIPA) would no longer be involved in acquiring or leasing land for investors. Instead, MIPA will focus on creating a favourable ecosystem to attract investments without compromising local interests.
“The government’s intent is clear: we will not engage in creating land banks or transferring land to investors. The focus remains on facilitating investments while respecting existing laws and regulations,” Sangma said.
The decision to amend the Bill follows significant protests, including a march by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) demanding the repeal of the 2024 Act.
Sangma assured that the government would consult all stakeholders, including political parties and organisations, to address concerns about the amended rules.
“These amendments are designed to provide clarity and comfort to citizens. They ensure adherence to the Land Transfer Act, respect for the rules of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), and prioritization of employment generation for the state’s youth,” the Chief Minister said.
The chief minister acknowledged that concerns over the creation of land banks had been raised by MLAs from the National People’s Party (NPP), United Democratic Party (UDP), and other stakeholders, including KSU members.
He revealed that detailed discussions were held with these groups to explain the government’s position and the amendments being introduced.
“Despite our clarifications, discomfort about the land bank issue persisted. This amendment is a step to reassure citizens that their concerns are being heard and addressed,” Sangma stated.
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Sangma emphasized the government’s commitment to working in the best interests of the people and being open to revisiting decisions if necessary.
“We believe in taking steps forward for the welfare of our people, but we will not hesitate to take a step back if required. Collaboration with society and public dialogue are central to our governance approach,” he said.
Reiterating the objective of the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation Act, Sangma clarified that MIPA’s role is purely facilitative.
“MIPA is not here to buy land or transfer it to any company. This amendment aims to dispel fears and build trust among the public. We want to ensure that investments benefit the state without compromising the rights of its people,” he added.
