Council seeks a week to take action against a rubber manufacturing unit operating illegally in Ri-Bhoi
SHILLONG, July 25: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council on Thursday threatened to close down the KHADC if it fails to take action against Resource Rubber Private Limited (RRPL), a rubber manufacturing company in Ri-Bhoi’s Mawsmai “operating illegally” without renewing the council-issued trading license in April this year.
HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem told reporters that the Executive Member in charge of Trade, Gigur Myrthong has sought a week to allow the legal team of the council to study the documents concerning the firm.
“It is futile to have the council office in Shillong if it fails to implement a law it has formulated. We will not hesitate to close down the council office if it fails to act within the seven days it has sought,” he said on Thursday.
He further said Section 7A of the Trading by Non-Tribals Regulation, 1954, clearly states that the council can initiate action if any person is found to be carrying on trade or business without a valid trade license in contravention of the provisions of this regulation.
The HYC president also slammed the Ri-Bhoi police for allowing the company to resume operation after the organisation shut it down.
“What the police and the firm are doing is against the provision of the regulation, which clearly says any non-tribal will need to apply for trading license from the council. Even the council has confirmed that the owner of this firm has not renewed the trading license,” he said.
Synrem asked how the non-tribal proprietor of the firm manages to operate his business without bothering to renew his trading license.
Myrthong said that the Trade Department did not renew the trading license for the rubber company as two individuals claim to be the owners of the plot of land where the firm is located.
“We are not sitting on the matter. We are still examining it since we have to follow the provisions laid down in the regulation,” he said when asked about the demand of the HYC.
He also said that the Trade Department is waiting for the opinion of its legal counsel before taking any action against the firm.
On Monday, the leaders of the Ri-Bhoi district unit of HYC conducted a raid on the rubber manufacturing company following complaints of illegal operation without proper documentation from the relevant authorities.
The HYC shut down the company and warned of stringent action if it reopened without obtaining all the necessary documents.
Tynsong should clarify on relocation plan: HYC
The HYC on Thursday sought clarification from Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on the exact number of families to be relocated from Them Iew Mawlong. In a letter addressed to Tynsong, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem reminded that they had raised an objection regarding the relocation of 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong.
“As per information found from RTI replies received from the office of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), there are only 194 families who have members who are employees of SMB and other government offices while 148 families do not have any member who are employed by the SMB or any other government departments,” Synrem stated in the letter.
The HYC chief recalled that the Deputy CM had instructed the Director of Urban Affairs and the Chief Executive Officer of SMB to examine and verify the RTI replies.
Synrem further urged Tynsong to direct the office of the Director of Urban Affairs and SMB CEO to provide the copy of the clarification, if any, to them for necessary information and action in this regard.