SHILLONG : Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said discussions with the Centre on the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security (Amendment) Bill, 2020, are still ongoing, while the state government is focusing on strengthening implementation of the existing MRSSA, 2016.
Sangma said the state government has held multiple rounds of discussions with the Centre at different levels, including with the Union Home Minister, Home Secretary and Chief Secretary.
“Multiple meetings have taken place at the Home Minister level, Home Secretary level and Chief Secretary level. We are very hopeful that we will be able to take forward the MRSSA 2020 and get it implemented. We are still waiting as some more issues need to be resolved,” Sangma said after chairing a Cabinet meeting.
Government steps up implementation of MRSSA 2016
While the amended legislation remains pending, Sangma said the government is working to ensure that the provisions of the MRSSA, 2016 are implemented effectively across Meghalaya.
He said registration has already been carried out in several locations with the involvement of Rangbah Shnongs and traditional headmen.
“The expansion of the implementation of this MRSSA is happening as we speak,” the Chief Minister said.
Face recognition technology planned for easier registration
Sangma said the government is also developing technology to make the registration process easier and more accessible at the local level.
According to him, the proposed system will include face recognition software and mobile-accessible technology, allowing registration to be carried out without requiring extensive equipment and manpower.
“We are working on better technology, face recognition software and systems that can be accessed on any mobile. This will further strengthen implementation and make it very easy for headmen and locality people,” he said.
Sangma said providing computers, cameras, dedicated rooms and personnel to every locality would be difficult given the scale of the state.
“There are 6,500 villages and localities across the state. It is quite a big challenge if we have to provide computers, laptops, manpower and rooms to everybody,” he added.
Facilitation centres for tourists
The Chief Minister also said the government is moving ahead with plans to establish and activate facilitation centres for tourists as part of the implementation of the MRSSA, 2016.
“We have already discussed and are moving forward to ensure that the facilitation centres are completed and activated for tourists. That is the second part of the MRSSA, 2016,” Sangma said.
He said the government is working on both registration and facilitation centres and expressed confidence that the implementation process would move forward soon.