Row over road project NOC
SHILLONG: A day after Chief Minister Mukul Sangma slammed KHADC for not issuing no objection certificate (NOC) for construction of the Nongstoin-Mawthabah road, the Council chief PN Syiem hits back at his bête noire telling him to “mind his own business”.
Reacting to the Chief Minister’s criticism, Syiem on Sunday said, “We are awaiting the report on the road project from the committee and we will receive it very soon. Some of the road projects that we have cleared include Ranikor-Maheshkhola-Baghmara, Nongstoin-Rambrai road.”
Slamming the state Government for its delay in recommending an Executive Member’s name earlier forwarded, he said, “the District Council Affairs Department unnecessarily has kept on hold the recommendation sent to the governor for clearance.”
Syiem also pointed out that one time financial assistance sanctioned by the Central Government for the ADCs in February have not been released till date.
It may be mentioned that the KHADC was allocated Rs 133.12 crore, while Rs 100.71 crore and Rs 33.57 crore was sanctioned for GHADC and JHADC respectively.
KHADC session from today: Meanwhile, the five-day KHADC session will begin on Monday. Important issues including the amendment of forests and rivers Act will be discussed during the session.
The KHADC CEM P N Syiem said the EC wants to amend the Act to protect the environment.
On the other hand, the Opposition KHNAM member Adelbert Nongrum informed that issues regarding the strengthening of Khasi society in terms of surnames will be discussed.
“The District Council is to be blamed for the confusion arising out of the intentional respelling of many Khasi surnames to get a touch of the foreign names, since it is to protect and safeguard the identity of Khasis. It has given the people enough liberty and these calls for immediate codification.”
It may be reminded that in the Winter session of the KHADC last year, Nongrum debated on a motion moved by him on the need to protect, and safeguard the indigenous tribes.