SHILLONG, July 11: In a huge embarrassment for the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Monday submitted before the High Court of Meghalaya that the Council, under whose jurisdiction the airport at Umroi operates, imposes arbitrary license fees and certain officials make extortionist demands.
During a hearing on a public interest litigation pertaining to the Shillong Airport at Umroi, the AAI pointed out that there is considerable difficulty in even supplies being sought for the small airport at Umroi since bidders are required to obtain a trade license to be eligible even to make a bid.
The AAI also pointed out that complaints were made to the state government in such regard but to no avail.
The state reported that despite an expression of interest being sought from the general public for a proper (greenfield) airport and the time for receiving responses thereto being extended, only a few responses have been received by or about July 6, 2022 which it is yet to process.
The state sought time to report on the matter.
However, the AAI submitted that the exercise of inviting offers may not yield any fruitful result since the state has to identify suitable areas in consultation with the AAI before negotiating with the owners of the land and take steps for outright purchase or for acquisition in accordance with law.
The Additional Solicitor General, who appeared for AAI, submitted that it is essential to obtain land to ensure that there is a full-fledged airport to service the state and which will cut the travelling time between Guwahati and Shillong.
He asserted that the development of an airport will lead to several ancillary businesses coming up and will be a boost for economic development in the state, including its fledgling tourism industry.
While on the subject, the Additional Solicitor General casually indicated that several other central organisations or PSUs like the Assam Rifles, the BSF and Indian Oil Corporation Limited have requested the state government for additional land, but the state has not taken any meaningful steps in such regard.
The court made it clear that at the end of the day it was for the state government to take a call. “If the administration does not want development or is not proactive in such regard which may create job opportunities for the residents in the state upon ensuring that the ecological balance and the environment are not disturbed to any great extent, the court cannot have an agenda of its own to force development down the administration’s throat. It is a matter of policy that the state has to decide on and as to what, in the administration’s opinion, may be best suited for the state and its residents, particularly keeping in mind the growing aspirations of the more educated young citizens,” the order said.
“Indeed, if the central armed police forces, particularly Assam Rifles which has its headquarters in Shillong, requires land to set up a protective battalion to guard its headquarters, adequate land within the vicinity of Shillong may be identified and the state should consider taking positive steps in such regard,” the court observed.
The court also noted that though the IOCL is in the process of setting up a small bottling plant for LPG in Ri-Bhoi, if a larger bottling plant for its petroleum and related products could be set up, it would bring benefit to the state in the form of taxes instead of revenue being earned by the neighbouring states from where the petrol and diesel are carried by tankers into filling stations in the state.
The court hoped that the state will find appropriate measures to identify and obtain the land needed for a proper airport, if the state desires that such a project be undertaken. “Or, at any rate, the futile exercise of inviting offers may be stopped and no further expenses incurred in such regard,” it said.
The court asked the state to indicate, within a fortnight, it’s considered opinion whether it needs or wishes to have a bigger airport or the economic development that is lacking here.
“Since the authority of the KHADC to seek license fees and the extent thereof has been called into question, the KHADC is added as a respondent. Advocate for the state will furnish the particulars pertaining to the added respondent so that the appropriate amendment can be carried out in course of the day,” the court added.
