By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 21: The UDP on Thursday asked the NPP-led Executive Committee (EC) if it has a plan to shift the office of the KHADC since the existing space has become too congested.
Raising this issue during the Question Hour on the second day of the council’s winter session, senior UDP MDC, Teinwell Dkhar said the proposal to shift the district council was first made in 2009.
“I remember this issue was discussed and if I am not mistaken, some areas were even identified for shifting the present office. But this proposal is yet to fructify,” he said.
He further said that people who visit the council office are facing great difficulties since there is no space to park their vehicles.
“It will be a good thing if we can shift the office to a bigger space. I would like to know if you have been able to identify or finalise the site for shifting the council office,” Dkhar said.
In his reply, Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem said the present EC has taken up this issue discussed in the house on many occasions.
He said the members of the EC met Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy CM in charge of Urban Affairs, Sniawbhalang Dhar four months ago to seek the allocation of land to the council for shifting its office.
He said the Urban Affairs Department is examining the letter submitted by the council in this regard.
“We will try again to meet the government shortly to know the status of this issue,” Syiem said.
He also said the council urged the government to provide them with land near the new Assembly building at Mawdiangdiang in the New Shillong Township.
“We also understand that the government wants to allocate the land in Mawpdang where it plans to set up its new administrative block. But we have verbally told the government that Mawpdang will be too far,” Syiem said.
He also said the EC conveyed to the government its preference for an office near the Assembly as the location would be more convenient for the staff and employees from the communication point of view.
He said the government has agreed to examine their request.
“We will know if the plot of land is feasible or not only after a joint inspection,” Syiem said.
Replying to the supplementary question raised by HSPDP’s veteran MDC, Martle N. Mukhim, he said the council has requested the state government to allocate 20 acres of land. The existing office stands on 3 acres of land.
“We have asked our engineers to give an estimate (for constructing the office) if the government gives us 20 acres of land,” he said.
Replying to a query by the Leader of the Opposition, Titosstarwell Chyne, Syiem said they have sought land free of cost since the council does not have the funds to purchase the land. He added that the KHADC would undertake the DPR for the new building after it gets the land.
“The funds for constructing the building will then be arranged,” he said.
Syeim said the council can explore the possibility of converting the present premises into a commercial complex for generating revenue.