Building bye-laws not framed, allege residents
SHILLONG: The Shillong Cantonment Lease Holder’s Association has shot off a letter to the MLA of Shillong South alleging indolent attitude by the Shillong Cantonment Board to the residents of Shillong Cantonment areas.
In a letter to Sanbor Shullai, MLA the Shillong Cantonment Lease Holder’s Association claimed that the Shillong Cantonment Board has not framed building bye-laws having sufficient relaxation in Floor Space Index (FSI) limit so that the residents of the Cantonment may apply for sanction/permission for erection or re-erection of their buildings.
“The non-framing of suitable building bye-laws has caused hardships to the residents of Shillong Cantonment Board”, the Shillong Lease Holder’s Association association stated.
Moreover, the non-consideration for conversion of Lease Hold Rights into Free Hold Rights as per the existing policy of the Central Government and the association claimed that the applications of some of the lease holders have been kept in cold storage even though they have paid the earnest money in the year 1994-96, leading the association to allege that the defence authorities and Cantonment save and earn interest over the earnest money of the lease holders.
The association also pointed towards the non-utilization of vacant land under the management of the Board for setting up educational institutions, hospitals.
It is alleged that lease holders are not allowed to utilize the part of their holding on the road level for commercial purpose in view of the increase in population where people are facing hardships for purchasing essential commodities.
Stating that the Shillong Cantonment Board falls under the Master Plan Shillong, the Shillong Lease Holders’ Association said that it is necessary for the Cantonment to frame town planning as provided under the Cantonment Act, 2006.
The association alleged that hardly any decision is taken in the public interest or implemented also stating that there is complete failure on the part of the Board in discharging their function in a democratic manner.