KSU urges KHADC to limit trading licenses to non-tribals

SHILLONG: A delegation comprising members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), South West Khasi Hills, has apprised the Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Paul Lyngdoh, of allegations that non-tribal traders have by-passed the United Khasi Jaintia (Trading by Non-Tribals) Rules, 1959.
In a statement issued here, union president Forwardman Nongrem claimed that there are a number of non-tribal traders who do not possess trading licenses and that many of them have not renewed the licenses which had been issued in 2012, 2015 and 2017.
He alleged that there are non-tribal traders who had obtained licenses to operate their businesses in one particular place but are currently operating in other places as well.
“For example, license had been issued for general trade but they’re trading with agricultural products and so on and so forth,” Nongrem said.
The union has requested the KHADC to limit the issuance of licenses for South West Khasi Hills and Mawsynram so as to allow locals to establish their own businesses within the district.
The union also highlighted the presence of benami and other illegal activities in the region and urged Lyngdoh to look into the matter at the earliest.
Lyngdoh assured the delegation that the matter will be dealt with.
He also said that the council is contemplating appointing officials in the Enforcement Department of the council to root out illegal practices.
He had also said licenses would be cleared or rejected based on merit.
Lyngdoh said that as of now in the city there are around 5000 non- tribals running shops and a substantial number of them do not come under licensing system and once the digitization takes place, the matter will be streamlined.
Earlier on April 16, the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) shut down many shops belonging to non-tribals for not possessing trade license.
The HYC central body had claimed that around 200 shopkeepers in Iewduh did not possess trade license and labour license.
The HYC conducted checking of shops to ensure that the shopkeepers possess the mandatory trade license from (KHADC).
According to the general secretary of HYC, Roy Kupar Synrem, some shopkeepers have not renewed their trade license.