SHILLONG: The general view of the budget estimates of the KHADC presented for the year 2016-2017 was the need to enhance the Council’s revenue. Highlights of the general discussion in which every member voiced their concern include alleged unchecked trading licenses, encroachment in forested lands of the KHADC, delay in release of special assistance schemes, etc.
Stating that the KHADC should bring clear policies and not clear cut conspiracies, KHNAM member Adelbert Nongrum said, “The revenue is less than the expenditure and such a situation calls for teamwork. We have to regain the authority that comes with being an autonomous body.”
An urgent need to preserve and protect the environment was raised by him when he said that more teeth should be given to the United Khasi Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Management and Control of Forests) (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2016 and to imposed penalty in case of violation.
“There has to be consultations with environmental experts,” he added.
With regards to uranium mining, he recalled the words of (L) Hoping Stone Lyngdoh who had said, “over my dead body”, Nongrum said, “The district council should not entertain the Central government or the State government who have the intention to mine uranium in the State.”
Speaking on the clear identification of Khasi clans, he said, “There should not be modified clans.”
Taking part in the discussion, HSPDP’s Pyniaid Sing Syiem said that the KHADC should strive for surplus budget and not a deficit one.
“The KHADC should set up a tourism department and promote agri-tourism as a means to provide employment opportunities to the farmers,” he said.
The general discussion also witnessed the allegations against the Trade department where trading license were not issued to non-tribals doing business within the jurisdiction of the KHADC.
Nongrum said, “Officials are seen idling away their time as no directions was issued by the EM in charge to conduct spot inspections. There has been trading by non-tribals without verification and hence spot inspection needs to be carried out.”
“The revenue generation from Trade department should be checked to plug any leakages,” Pyniaid said.
With regard to the special assistance scheme, HSPDP MDC M. Mawsor said, “The special assistance scheme was released in February and it has been 4-5 months and it is still unclear whether we will receive the money or not.”
Similarly, HSPDP MDC Teilinia S. Thangkhiew, said, “The special assistance is needed to create assets to bring in revenue generation. Urban migration is rampant and Shillong has become saturated as developmental activities in rural areas is less. We should concentrate more on agriculture activities in the rural areas.”
Meanwhile, Independent MDC Donkupar Sumer, said, “The NGT ban on coal mining has brought a threat to the State and has emptied the accounts of the State. The special assistance scheme should be handled in sectors for the creation of assets to generate revenue for the district council.”
Replying to the MDCs’ queries after the general discussion, KHADC CEM P.N. Syiem said, “Experts will be consulted in matters relating to land, mining, environment and to set up an assurance committee to follow up the issues taken up in the House.”
On the special assistance scheme, he said, “I do not want to blame anybody, on our part we have written to the NITI Aayog and Ministry of Finance.”
