Closure of Nongmynsong shops without trading licence
SHILLONG: State BJP leader and Health Minister AL Hek on Wednesday came out in defence of non-tribal traders of Nongmynsong, whose shops have been shut down by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, vouching for their bonafides.
Executive Member (EM) in charge of Trade Paul Lyngdoh has asked the traders to submit proper documents to the council within a week.
Hek, who is the Nongmynsong MLA, and a delegation of the traders met Lyngdoh on Wednesday to apprise him of the grievances of the non-tribal traders of the area.
The KHADC enforcement wing recently shut down 33 shops of non-tribal traders for not possessing trading license.
In a petition to Lyngdoh, Hek said the genuine people of Nongmynsong are being deprived of their rights of livelihood. He pointed out that they have co-existed peacefully for many years and engaged in their business and other enterprises.
According to Hek, peaceful business of genuine people of Nongmynsong should not be affected in any way due to new regulations which impinge on their rights and liberties.
The minister requested Lyngdoh to resolve the matter on humanitarian ground as the traders are genuine residents of Nongmynsong.
Later, speaking to reporters, Hek said, “Genuine non-tribal traders should not be deprived of their livelihood. They have all the documents with them.”
Dripping sarcasm, he wanted to know whether the KHADC will also issue closure notice to the airlines operating in Meghalaya.
Asked if he had broken protocol by calling on Lyngdoh, he said, “For issues, I don’t bother about protocol.”
Earlier, BJP’s South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai had also convened a meeting with non-tribal traders of his constituency to address their predicament.
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh told reporters that the owners of the 33 shops that were shut down do not possess any trading license violating the Khasi-Jaintia Hills (Trading by Non- Tribal) Regulation, 1954
“We will work out case by case and will follow the Regulation. Shops cannot be opened without thorough investigation as the traders should abide by the Regulation,” he added.
In the process of examining the documents, those traders who fulfill the Regulation will be considered.
Lyngdoh asserted that issuing show-cause notice is not necessary as non-tribals should be acquainted with the law pertaining to trade.
Asked if he is under pressure, he said, “We are entrusted with the responsibility to fulfill constitutional mandate. We have to discharge our duty without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. We will work as per the provisions of the Regulation.”
He went on to add that the Regulation has been in existence since before the state of Meghalaya and said that the Regulation was conceived with an aim to protect the trade of people from economically weak background.