SHILLONG: Chairman of Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya John F. Kharshiing has asserted that there is no difference between the KHADC (Land Development and Building) Regulation, 2015, and Meghalaya Building Bye Laws, 2011.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, he said both laws are similar and include the provision of obtaining an NOC for building permission, drawing plans by engineer/architect and both authorities (MUDA and KHADC) will have to collect labour cess. He added that both laws have stringent provisions relating to number of storeys and uphold the provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the National Disaster Management Authority.
According to Kharshiing the only difference between the State and the KHADC rule lies in the fact that the latter has empowered the traditional heads to issue NOC for construction of buildings below two storeys after getting the drawing plan from the architect or engineer while MUDA building bye laws do not have this provision.
He said the indigenous people need to dilate upon Section 7 of the Indian Independence Act, 1947, and documents of the Instrument of Accessions and Annexed Agreement (IOA & AA), which was approved and signed by the Governor General of India and 25 Hima Khasi States on August 17, 1948.
Asserting that there should be no repugnancy between laws passed by the State and Parliament without establishing the association of India and Khasi states, he said for the last 68 years the Dorbar Ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Ka Ri Hynniewtrep, and Federation of Khasi States have demanded for the implementation of IOA & AA.
Kharshiing urged the KHADC and the State Assembly to bring in a resolution that will include the provisions of Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement to protect the indigenous community.
