VAB implementation
SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is waiting for response from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the Village Administration Bill (VAB). This was informed by KHADC CEM P.N. Syiem on the second day of the budget session of the council here on Tuesday while replying to a query on whether the provisions of the VAB will also be implemented in the elaka/hima having their own acts and rules.
Replying to a query raised by Congress MDC D. Wanlang, Syiem said the VAB will not be implemented in Himas that have codified acts.
Land registration
In reply to a query, Independent MDC Hadrian Lyngdoh informed that the KHADC has facilitated free registration of land for residents of border areas adjoining Assam and people are availing themselves of the facility.
New KHADC building
Meanwhile, Executive member (EM) in charge of Building Banteidor Lyngdoh stated that the new KHADC building will be ready by June. In reply to a query raised by Wanlang, Lyngdoh said that 70 per cent of the work is complete and over Rs 3.22 crore has been released to the contractor.
The project is being implemented at an estimated cost of over Rs 4.74 crore.
Trading licences
Neil Antonio War, EM in charge of Trade, while replying to supplementary questions informed that 36 licences were issued to non-tribals, 13 were renewed and an equal number of show cause notices were issued.
He added that the cancelled licences were no longer in operation.
Motions
A motion on the exploitation of children and women in and around Khasi hills was moved by HSPDP MDC Teilinia Thangkhiew. She advocated the need to set up special courts to try such cases.
Replying to the motion, Syiem said that Hima/Raids will be roped in to tackle such crimes and create awareness on the POCSO Act.
