SHILLONG, July 25: Vouching for a ‘bigger and better’ version of the Monolith Festival in December this year, the executive committee of the KHADC on Tuesday decided to hold the upcoming edition of the festival at the site of Khasi Heritage Village in Mawphlang.
KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pyniaid Sing Syiem said that the decision of the Council to hold the festival once again was intended to showcase the rich traditional culture and heritage of the Khasi tribes.
Talking about the festival, the CEM said that this year, it will be different since the Tourism department will collaborate with the Council in organising the event. “I can only say it is going to be bigger and better,” he said.
According to the KHADC CEM, tourists from outside the state and even abroad would arrive to attend the festival for an insight into the Khasi culture and tradition.
He said that the festival aims to bring the rich traditional cultural heritage of the Khasis under one roof to be showcased.
“The festival has been conceptualised with an aim not only to showcase to the world but also to promote and preserve our rich cultural heritage,” the CEM added.
‘Arrears by next month’
The executive committee of the council also decided to release the arrears of both the present and retired employees by next month.
Talking to reporters after the meeting of the EC, Syiem said that Rs 6.5 crore is required to release the arrears.
The CEM also revealed that the Council has decided to release the arrears of eight former MDCs in compliance with the directive of the High Court of Meghalaya.
The council has sanctioned Rs 24 lakh for payment of the arrears of the eight employees, he added.
It may be mentioned that the eight former MDCs had demanded that they should get pension as per the bill passed by the council, which is fixed at Rs 5,000 a month.
He however added that there are another 22 former MDCs who have approached the court on arrears. “We have asked for three months to reply to the queries sought by the court,” he said.
