Govt not interested in interfering into affairs outside Municipality, says Ampareen
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: While making it clear that the State Government has no interest in interfering in areas outside the Municipality, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said that the Government would be more than happy if the KHADC is able to constitute town committees in accordance with the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
“Nobody can prevent the KHADC from constituting Town Committees since there are provisions in the Sixth Schedule for setting up of such a body. But until such an institution is in place, the Government would be forced to see the State Building Byelaws are strictly being adhered to even outside the municipal areas for the safety of the citizens of the State,” Ampareen said while speaking to reporters recently.
According to the Urban Affairs Minister, at present, there is no alternative authority other than the Urban Affairs department and MUDA to monitor and ensure the safe growth and expansion of urbanization in the state.
“If the KHADC feels that it has the competent authority to deal with the issue of urban management, it can shoulder the responsibility in urban areas falling outside the Shillong Municipal Board,” Ampareen said.
The Urban Affairs Minister also clarified that the purview of the Meghalaya building Byelaws, 2001 talks about taking into account public safety while constructing buildings in urban areas and its suburbs so that generations do not suffer in future.
She also expressed concern over the present state of affairs where buildings are being constructed without taking into consideration the negative impact that may befall on neighbours and most importantly the manner in which such reckless constructions would affect the scientific way of expanding urban areas in Greater Urban conglomeration.
It may recalled that circulars were served by MUDA to various headmen of localities in the entire Shillong Master Plan area including localities outside Shillong Municipality to publicise that all types of construction activities in all the localities within the Shillong Master Plan area require due permission from MUDA and any unauthorized constructions would attract punitive action under the Byelaws.
However the headmen criticized the Building Byelaws and lately, demanded that a notification issued in 1990, relating to creation of MUDA should be annulled.
They said, in order to implement the Meghalaya Town & Country Act, 1973, the Meghalaya Building Byelaw was implemented in 2001 and amended this year.
They alleged that the Meghalaya Town & Country Planning Act, 1973 has removed the powers of District Councils which have their own law known as United Khasi and Jaintia Hills District (UKJHD) Town Committee Act, 1960 and UKJHD Town Committee Rules, 1962.
Meanwhile, Ampareen informed that the Urban Affairs department would be holding a two-day conclave to discuss on the various aspect of urban management within the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) on January 19 and 20.
The department is holding this conclave with the specific objective of providing a platform to the traditional heads, NGOs and civil society bodies to have a meaningful debate and discussion on issues concerning urban management.
While the public expect the Government to provide the best possible urban civic management they are opposing the constitution of body which would be responsible to look after the after civic amenities.
“We need to break the ice in order to have a clear understanding on urban management in the city. It is impossible for the Government alone to look after the civic amenities without the participation of the community. The community should in fact take the responsibility of looking after the various civic amenities in their respective localities,” Ampareen said.
She said the traditional institutions, NGOs and civil society bodies can suggest modalities in for urban management during the conclave.
She also stated that the two-day conclave would also be an extensive exercise where the traditional bodies and NGOs can give their valuable suggestions on how to improve urban management within the jurisdiction of the SMB.
Ampareen reiterated that the department would be open to a debate and discussion if there is any need to improve upon and plug the various lacunae of the existing Municipal Act, 1972.
“We will not hesitate to amend the existing Act if it is required,” the Urban Affairs Minister said.