Only state residents to get trading license

SHILLONG: Executive Member of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Paul Lyngdoh has said that henceforth only Meghalayans would get trading licenses to operate within the jurisdiction of the council.
Talking to The Shillong Times here on Monday, Lyngdoh said that there have been many instances in the past when people who have their permanent address in other states but are staying here temporarily, were given licenses in violation of the United Khasi Jaintia (Trading by Non-Tribals) Regulation Act.
He also said that there were many instances when people submitted police verification reports that were four-five-year old, but now they have to give updated reports for annual renewal of the license.
The process of making the entire system of issuance of trading license for non-tribals digital to plug loopholes also began more than two weeks ago.
He said that the response among the traders for the digitized license has been massive and every day, around 200 forms are being taken.
He said that with digitization taking place, the Council is hopeful of distributing double the number of forms issued earlier.
According to Lyngdoh, there have been instances when a trader would run three-four shops against a single license, adding digitization of the system would end such practice.
He also said that the Council would issue irreplaceable stickers to the licensees which have to be displayed prominently at the front of the shops. This, he said, would, make inspection by officers easier.
The move would also end frequent inspections carried out by pressure groups in the non-tribal shops for trading licenses. Several pressure groups in the state have been asking the KHADC to restrict issue of trading license to non-tribals.