SHILLONG, Sep 9: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) on Monday demanded a new law that will make it mandatory for tourist taxis from other states to obtain a trading licence from the KHADC to operate in Meghalaya.
A delegation of KHNAM met Executive Member (EM) in-charge of Trade, Gigur Myrthong and highlighted that the objective of the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation, 1954 is to protect the interests of the indigenous tribals.
Later, KHNAM working president Thomas Passah told reporters the district council needs to ensure that there is some regulation against tourist taxis from outside entering the state.
“The provisions under the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation, 1954 permit the council to make it mandatory that the tourist taxis from outside apply for the trading licence. We suggested that the council should check the tourist taxis from outside,” Passah said.
Myrthong could not give any assurance to the KHNAM delegation, stating that he would need to first discuss the matter with his officers.
Meanwhile, Passah said KHNAM is supporting the demand of All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) that the right to ferry tourists from outside to tourist spots in Meghalaya should belong to the local tourist taxis.
