By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 24: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Opposition leader, Titosstarwell Chyne on Thursday suggested that the council can examine inserting a clause in the Trading By Non-Tribals Regulation of 1954 to make it mandatory for tourist taxis from Assam to obtain a trading licence to ply in the Sixth Schedule areas falling under its jurisdiction.
Chyne made the suggestion at a time when the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association is demanding that tourist taxis from Assam should not be allowed to go to the tourist spots in Meghalaya.
The KHADC Opposition leader asked if the checking of trading licence is limited to only trucks and buses which ply within the council’s jurisdiction. He said the council should also check the trading licences of tourist taxis.
Further, he suggested that tourist and local taxis, which are owned by non-tribals and which obtain their permits from the state, must have a trading licence to operate within the Sixth Schedule areas falling under the KHADC’s jurisdiction.
Pointing out that non-tribals are required to obtain a trading licence to set up businesses in the Sixth Schedule areas as per the provisions under the Trading By Non-Tribals Regulation of 1954, Chyne said the same yardstick should apply to local and tourist taxis owned by non-tribals if they operate in the Sixth Schedule areas.
He urged the state government to work closely with the council by making it mandatory for non-tribals, applying for local and tourist taxi permits, to obtain the trading licence.
At the same time, he said any measure taken by the government to address the concerns of the tourist taxi association should not affect the flow of tourists into Meghalaya.
“It is important that we take into account those people who are dependent on tourism for their livelihood,” Chyne added.
He appealed to state government, transport operators and tourism stakeholders to come out with a solution which will not hamper the state’s tourism sector.