SHILLONG, MAR 3: Power Minister AT Mondal on Monday said that the issue related to the land leased to the Maitshaphrang Tourism Promotion Group (MTPG) has been amicably resolved.
“The matter has again been discussed at length with lessee and has been now resolved amicabl,” Mondal informed while replying to a zero hour notice moved by VPP North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum.
Mondal said Lumpongdeng Island at Umiam Lake is a plot of land measuring about 1, 64,797.48 sqm or 40.72 acres owned by the MeECL within the Umiam Lake.
Out of which a plot of land measuring about 1 acre was leased out to the Maitshaphrang Tourism Promotion Group (MTPG) for a period of 10 years with effect from February 7, 1997 up to February 6, 2007 at an annual lease rent of Rs 10,000 per annum with an enhancement at a rate of 5% every year.
Thereafter and subsequently the lease rent is extended accordingly on the request of the lessee since the land in question was yet to be utilized by the lessor.
The minister however said that the land in question is now needed by the government (MeECL) for the purpose of various development activities.
Accordingly, the chairman of Maitshaphrang Tourism Promotion Group (MTPG), Shillong was informed vide letter dated November 11, 2024 that extension of land lease will no longer be extended after the lease period is expired which has already expired on December 31, 2024.
He said that the MTPG, Shillong was requested to vacate the land and remove all the structures and buildings erected thereon as per clause no 7 of the lease agreement which stated that “If the land is, at any time before the expiry of the period of this Agreement, required by the Board Corporation for its own use or for any purpose of the Board, the Lessee shall after being served with one month’s notice, vacate possession of the land and building, and the Board or its successors shall have the power to use the land, the Lessee shall however, have the right to remove all the buildings and structures erected by it on the land within a period of one month”.
“The Chairman of the MTPG vide letter dated January 15, 2025 requested the MeECL to extend the deadline so as to enable them to pursue the matter with the authorities concerned. The same has been entertained and extended upto February 15, 2025 to enable him to initiate further necessary action in line with clause 7 of the Land Lease Agreement,”he added.