Guwahati— In a significant move responding to public pressure, the Meghalaya government has reversed its controversial stance on land acquisition under the Meghalaya Investment Promotion and Facilitation Act (MIPFA). This shift in policy comes after weeks of criticism from opposition leaders, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens.
On Thursday, the State Assembly unanimously adopted an amendment to the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, removing a contentious section regarding the creation of land banks. The move followed growing concerns over the government’s previous position, which would have allowed the Meghalaya Investment Promotion Authority (MIPA) to acquire land for investment purposes.
The Meghalaya government had initially proposed a provision in the amendment that would have allowed the creation of land banks, with the intent to facilitate large-scale investments in the state. However, the proposal drew widespread opposition, particularly from civil society groups and local communities who feared that the policy would lead to the forced acquisition of land, depriving people of their ancestral and agricultural lands. Opposition leaders also voiced their concerns, arguing that the plan could be misused to benefit corporate interests at the expense of the local population.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, in a bid to address the mounting concerns, introduced the amendment to remove the specific clause related to the creation of land banks. In his address to the Assembly, Sangma acknowledged the public’s unease and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding the interests of the people of Meghalaya while still promoting economic growth through investment.
“We are here to listen to the concerns of the people without compromising the broader objective of investment,” Sangma said. He explained that while the government had previously amended Section 34 of the MIPFA, the concerns regarding land acquisition persisted, prompting the introduction of a further amendment to address those concerns.
The amendment, which removes the words in Subsection 3 of Section 4, Clause 1, has sent a clear message that MIPA will not engage in land purchases or the creation of land banks. The Chief Minister stressed that the government had no intention of forcing land acquisitions or land transfers to private entities. “MIPA is not here to buy or forcefully transfer land,” Sangma reiterated, addressing the key concern that had sparked the public outcry.
The original proposal to create land banks was part of the broader MIPFA framework, which was designed to promote investment and facilitate economic growth by streamlining procedures and providing incentives for businesses. The government argued that the land bank provision was essential to attract major investments in infrastructure and industry. However, the opposition and civil society groups contended that the provision could be exploited to acquire fertile agricultural land, pushing local farmers off their land in the process.
In his statement, Sangma emphasized that MIPA’s primary role was to serve as an investment facilitator, not to purchase land. He clarified that the deletion of the land bank provision would ensure that the government’s focus remained on creating an environment conducive to investment, without infringing upon people’s rights to their land. The government also promised to consult with stakeholders, including various indigenous organizations, before finalizing the rules for the amended MIPFA.
The bill’s primary purpose is to promote and facilitate investment in the state, but this will be done in a manner that is transparent and in accordance with existing rules and laws,” the Chief Minister said. He also emphasized that the government would continue engaging with all relevant stakeholders as it worked to draft the rules under the amended act.
Despite the reversal, the government has sought to reassure the public that it remains committed to fostering a favorable environment for investment in Meghalaya. The deletion of the land bank provision marks a victory for the public pressure campaign, but it also highlights the sensitive balancing act the government faces in promoting development while protecting the rights and interests of the local population.
The amendment to the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has been hailed as a crucial step towards restoring public trust in the government’s commitment to safeguarding the land rights of the people of Meghalaya. Moving forward, it is clear that the government will have to tread carefully, ensuring that its policies align with both its investment objectives and the concerns of the citizens it serves.
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