The Meghalaya government today said tourism, investment in health, natural resources and development works would be hampered if the Inner Line Permit was imposed in the state, and sought for a more pragmatic and alternative mechanism to deal with the issue of influx.
In a 22-point note sent to the leaders of 13 pressure groups demanding implementation of the 140-year-old Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation Act, the state government said tourism, emerging as a major industry in the state, would be its first victim.
"Imposition of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) would send cold vibes instead of warmth and hospitality," the note prepared by the state political department said.
"Meghalaya is an underdeveloped state with paltry budgetary resources which required augmentation of capital resources and investment from private sectors. Rigorous checking at the ILP gates would send very contradictory signals to the potential investors," it said.
Implementation of the ILP would involve huge costs in terms of additional expenditure on administrative infrastructure and manpower to ensure permit holders do not exceed their stay beyond the stipulated time, it said.
In the January 15 meeting with pressure groups, the state government had listed about 52 legislations which would deal with the problem of influx in the state including regulation on land transfer, reservation for employment and education and the inter-state migrant labour regulations.
It also said the National Population Register (NPR) was a more potent tool to bring a clearer picture regarding the nationality status of residents in Indian Territory.
Stating it would be almost impossible to plug the entire 884 km inter-state border, the state government sought for a more "pragmatic, implementation-friendly and cost effective alternative mechanism" to deal with influx.
Pressure groups had held the state government responsible for the four month-long agitation which began on September 2 last year after the government did not agree to their demand to implement the ILP.
Four persons died and property worth crores of rupees were damaged during the agitation which included blockades of highways and other roads at night, picketing outside offices and bandhs.
