\SHILLONG, July 8: KHADC executive member in charge of Building Bye-Laws, Paul Lyngdoh said the council is trying to expedite the process for issuing of building permission in areas within its jurisdiction.
The KHADC’s jurisdiction includes tribal administered areas and also those under the Shillong Master Plan.
Replying to a question by opposition leader PN Syiem during Question Hour on the final day of the council’s summer session here on Friday, Lyngdoh said the Khasi Hills Building and Structure Regulatory Authority has been constituted for the implementation of the building bye-laws and issuance of permits.
He said the council is trying to address the problem of shortage of manpower, especially engineers and other technical hands.
“There is an agreement that the technical officers from MUDA would be partially placed in the council. We will also draw manpower from the departments that have less workload and utilise their services in the regulatory body,” Lyngdoh said.
Replying to a supplementary question from Syiem, he said the council will implement the Meghalaya Building Bye-Laws, 2021 until the council has its own set of bye-laws in conformity with the state bye-laws.
“The aim was to have uniform building bye-laws across the state. We also cannot have building bye-laws in conflict with the National Building Code applicable throughout the country,” Lyngdoh said.
He said the fresh applications are currently being scrutinised for issuing the building permit. “We are in the process of issuing of the letter of assurance to the 400-plus housing loan applications which are required to be submitted at the bank for availing of the housing loan. We will start the exercise once the banks approve the loan applications,” Lyngdoh said.
He further said the focus of the council at the moment was on monitoring the building permission of the buildings, which are commercial in nature like homestays and hotels.
“We have received reports that many have violated the National Building Code by constructing their homestays and hotels very close to the river banks,” he added.
Replying to a supplementary question raised by Congress MDC from Nongstoin, Gabriel Wahlang, Lyngdoh said it is mandatory to avail the building permit for any construction within the jurisdiction of the council, including tribal administered area Shillong Master Plan.
