SHILLONG: The Executive Committee of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has approved the proposal of the Trade department to enhance the trade licence fees which will be effective from April 1.
Addressing the press on Wednesday, Executive Member (EM) in charge of Trade, Paul Lyngdoh who placed the proposal during the EC meeting said the administration and the service of the department will also be toned up.
He informed that the last enhancement of the trade license fee was 14 years back in 2005 and observed that the revenue generation of the Council is weak due to non-revision of the trade license fee structure.
“To make the enforcement wing of the KHADC strong, we need to increase the revenue,” he said adding that the enforcement of the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation Act, 1954 is weak.
After the license has been granted, the traders will be issued stickers which they have to display in their shops, Lyngdoh said.
Further, KHADC has also identified 31 trade activities which were previously not included in the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation Act, 1954 and will be included in the licensing system of the KHADC.
Lyngdoh stated that the increase in the license fee is significant and the range depends on the different kind of trades.
He added that trade also includes services provided by non-tribals such as drivers as they need to obtain the clearance from District Council and then get the necessary permit from DTO.
The department is working on digitizing the trade license system which has made it mandatory for traders to visit KHADC and to get their details entered in the computer.
Meanwhile, EM in charge of Development, Martle Mukhim said the EC also discussed on the special central scheme released to the district council through the state government. He said there was discussion on the guidelines to implement the scheme which should be in consonance with the union ministry guidelines especially with quality of work, time factor and to complete the work on time.
