Parking attendants to get I-cards, name plates soon

SHILLONG:  Despite the report appearing in this paper on January 7 last, regarding non-issuance of receipts by parking attendants at the Laitumkhrah market parking lot,  the same nonchalance continues. It looks like issuing a receipt for parking fees taken is the exception rather than the rule. This happens in nearly all parking lots barring the one at the MUDA parking space in Khyndailad.
Following the report the Shillong Municipal Board has issued a show-cause notice to the lessee of the parking lot over the complaints of the drivers who park their vehicles there that they are never issued receipts.
Shillong Municipal Board CEO, T Lyngwa on Wednesday said that the lessee one Lamin has been given seven days to reply as why no receipts are issued to drivers who park their vehicles in the parking lot.
It is learnt that two parking lots at Laitumkhrah which are properties of Shillong Municipal Board are given to the lessee through proper bidding and tendering process.
“We give the parking contract on lease to the highest bidder,” Lyngwa said while adding that a bidding amount of Rs 7 lakh was the highest bid and so the Board leased the two parking lots at that amount for one year.
According to Lyngwa, the Board cannot intervene in the activities of the lessee until complaints of not issuing of receipts and over charging comes to the notice of the Board.
He also stated that from February 1, the Board will issue an identity card or a name plate to the genuine parking attendants in the parking lots of SMB so that unknown persons do not take advantage and fill their pockets.
“If any person without an identity card asks for parking fees then people should immediately file a police complaint since it is tantamount to extortion,” Lyngwa said.