From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, Nov 7: The Winter Session of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) concluded on Thursday after a half-day session filled with significant debates and discussions, including motions on land disputes and the Council’s financial operations.
During the session, Leader of the Opposition Andrew Shullai raised a motion highlighting inefficiencies in processing Land Holding Certificates, Patta documents, and resolving land disputes within the Revenue and Land Records Departments. Similarly, Opposition member Brightstar Chyrmang introduced a motion calling for improved efficiency in these critical services. However, after a brief discussion, the ruling party requested that both motions be withdrawn, and they were subsequently retracted by the opposition members.
Shullai inquired about the number of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued for cement plants between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. In response, Chief Executive Member (CEM) Thombor Shiwat confirmed that only one NOC had been issued to Meghatop Pvt. Cement Ltd in Narpuh area, permitting a production capacity of up to 30 million tons per annum (TPA) of cement.
Opposition member R Syngkon also questioned the Council’s revenue share from the Transport department for the 2023-2024 financial year. The CEM reported that the Council had received around Rs 8.88 crore from this source. Further inquiries were made regarding the Council’s revenue from mineral resources. Opposition member B Chyrmang requested details on collections from major and minor minerals from April 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024.
Shiwat disclosed that the Council had generated Rs 86.64 crore from major minerals and Rs 29.95 crore from minor minerals.