The Meghalaya government has given the green signal to bring amendments to industrial, labour and agricultural marketing laws apparently to strengthen the response to the economic slowdown in view of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Although the government did not reveal the details of the amendments due to the upcoming reassembled budget session of the Assembly, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong said changes would be made to the Industrial Disputes Act, Labour Contract Act and the Agricultural Marketing Act.

“We have made a few amendments to the acts as they are in the Concurrent List, and these will be placed before the Assembly during the upcoming session beginning on May 20,” Tynsong said.

However, he informed that by amending the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1980, the state would be empowered to set up more regulated markets to ensure that farmers get maximum benefit.

He said at present Meghalaya has only two regulated markets, one at Mawïong in East Khasi Hills and the other at Garodoba in West Garo Hills. By changing the Act, the government would be able to set up more regulated markets, he said.

The management of a regulated market is looked after by a government-appointed committee.

The committee is empowered to fix the market charges like commission and rates, and eliminates middlemen or brokers representing either the buyer or seller.

It also ensures remunerative prices to the farmers.