SHILLONG: A group of former leaders and supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP) in Mylliem, led by Hamlet Dohling, joined the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) on Friday.
Addressing a gathering at the packed Umlyngka community hall in Upper Shillong, Dohling said he had nurtured the desire to contest elections since 2012.
He recalled that his supporters applauded when he talked about change and development in the constituency and sought their support for the Assembly elections 2018.
“The reason why I left UDP is because I want to contest the election as there is a need to bring in development in the constituency,” he said.
PDF president Ivanlumlang Marbaniang lashed out at critics of the party saying “PDF will get more people in the coming months”.
“I am engaged in building the house (PDF) and I have no time to respond to critics.”
“PDF will stand alone before the elections and after the elections,” he said.
Building bye laws
Dohling took the opportunity to speak against the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Building Bye Laws being implemented in Upper Shillong. The leader claimed that it was intrusion into the jurisdiction of scheduled areas.
Taking out a copy of the RTI filed by him in March, Dohling informed the gathering that as per the RTI, places like Lawsohtun and Upper Shillong fall under the jurisdiction of MUDA.
The RTI also stated that permission for construction of a house is required according to the provisions in the Meghalaya Building Bye laws, 2011, and residents will have to pay building permission fees and labour cess (as applicable).
As for construction of cow shed, the RTI also mentioned that permission is required for the construction of permanent and semi-permanent sheds.
Further, the RTI reply said, “However, for purely temporary structure, prior intimation to this office is required.”
