SHILLONG, March 20 � Meghalaya would conduct a comprehensive study on influx, which in turn would throw light on its phenomenal decadal population growth rate, the third highest in India, as per the 2011 Census.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said in the Assembly today that no study has been conducted on influx in the State, which has witnessed a high decadal growth. Skeptics are of the opinion that the rise in population is due to influx of non-indigenous or non-tribal people and illegal migrants.
�A comprehensive study on influx is required as such a study has not been conducted in the past,� Sangma said, adding it would be one of his Government�s top priorities. He was replying to a question on influx and the measures being taken by the State Government to arrest the phenomenon.
Meghalaya has a population of 30.65 lakh as per the 2011 Census. It registered a 27.82 per cent decadal growth with an increase of 6.45 lakh people in ten years. The decadal growth rate of the State is the third highest in the country after Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. India�s average decadal growth rate was 17.64 per cent during this period.
Sangma said that the Government is undertaking various steps to control influx. Meghalaya is one of the few States, or perhaps the only State in India, to have a Directorate of Influx. The Directorate was set up earlier this year and an officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police would head it, assisted by 114 staff.
The Chief Minister said that the State has appointed 39 Labour Inspectors at the Block level to control influx by checking antecedents of illegal migrants who enter in the guise of labour. Then, there are task forces that have been set up at the district level to check influx.
The State last year has also set up a committee to suggest ways to control influx. The committee comprising government officials and members of NGOs recommended that the Inner Line Permit be introduced in the State. The Government is yet to �officially� receive the report of the committee with its recommendations, Sangma added.
The Chief Minister also said that earlier illegal migrants� entry was concentrated along the international Indo-Bangla borders, but over time these illegal migrants may have infiltrated further into the State. �Therefore, the control of influx is the Government�s top most priority and also was part of the Congress� election manifesto. We are evolving new ways to control influx,� Sangma assured the House.
