By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In the wake of the State Government’s decision to put on hold the Meghalaya Community Participation Bill, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is contemplating to set up town committees outside the municipal areas.
“We would table an amendment to the United Khasi and Jaintia Hills District (Establishment of Town Committees) Act, 1960 in the upcoming District Council session scheduled in October which would pave the way for constitution of the town committees in areas within the Council’s jurisdiction,” KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pynshngain N Syiem said.
The State Government put on hold passage of the Meghalaya Community Participation Bill for further examination following recommendation of a Select Committee of the State Legislative Assembly. The Select Committee, headed by Urban and Municipal Affairs Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh, had prepared a report for the Government which was tabled in the recently concluded Autumn Session of the Assembly.
According to Syiem, the KHADC Executive Committee would take a call on the constitution of the town committees as per the requirements depending on the size of the town or village.
“We can constitute the town committee for a particular area or village. We can also have a town committee catering to three or four villages,” the KHADC CEM said.
Syiem informed that the EC would take a call on the strength of the proposed town committee.
“As per the Act, the town committees should have a maximum strength of 12 and not less than eight members,” he said.
He informed that the primary function of the town committees would be maintenance of cleanliness and hygienic conditions of the roads and paths within their prescribed jurisdiction, looking after infrastructure development including maintenance, construction and improvement of drains, waterways and communication in the concerned area. “The committees would also be responsible for regulating the construction of new buildings in the area,” Syiem said.
It may be added that Urban and Municipal Affairs Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh, had 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, while adding that there is no alternative authority other than the Urban Affairs department and the MUDA to monitor and ensure urbanization in the State. “Nobody can prevent the KHADC from constituting town committees. But until such an institution is in place, the Government is bound to ensure that the State Building Bylaws are strictly adhered to even outside the municipal areas for the safety of the citizens,” Ampareen had said.