Body for tribals’ economic rights formed

SHILLONG: A Joint Action Committee on Indigenous People Economic Rights (JACIPER) was formed by different pressure groups and the Meghalaya Commercial Vehicles’ Union (MCVU) to push for certain demands.
MCVU has been vocal about commercial vehicles coming from outside the state by transporting cement from Lumshnong in East Jaintia Hills to other parts of the state.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Hynniewtrep Youth Council president Peter Lawai said, “It is illegal on the part of the commercial vehicles from outside to operate here in the state as they do not possess a trading or labour licence. Moreover, they don’t have to pay professional tax to district councils.”
“The District Council and the state government through the District Transport Officer (DTO) are protecting the interests of the commercial trucks from outside,” he added.JACIPER will write to the cement companies to maintain the approved government rate which is Rs 1.25/quintal/km, which means Rs 12.50/tonne/km. JACIPER asked the district councils not to issue trading and labour licences to vehicles coming from outside the state.
“Cement companies are more harm than good to the state. They have only come here to exploit the state,” Lawai said. Meanwhile, Handle Mukhim, who is the chairman of JACIPER and president of MCVU, said they have given the authorities concerned time till November 10 and on November 9 they will hold a meeting.