Issuance of building permits under M’laya Building Bye-Laws, 2021
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 28: The Opposition in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Friday expressed concerns over the ongoing conflict between the Council and the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) regarding the issuance of building permits under the Meghalaya Building Bye-Laws, 2021.
During the Question Hour, independent MDC from Laban-Mawprem, Ricky Shullai, highlighted that the dispute had affected residents in his constituency.
He pointed out that residents from Upper Lumparing had submitted two letters to the KHADC, seeking permission to obtain building permits directly from the Council.
Shullai stated that former Executive Member in charge of Building Bye-Laws, Paul Lyngdoh, and former Deputy CEM, Pynshngain N. Syiem, had assured residents that the KHADC would issue building permits for the Upper Lumparing area.
He added that a public announcement had been made, informing residents that the council had begun issuing these permits.
According to Shullai, residents had started approaching the KHADC for building permissions, citing a case where a woman from Lumparing began constructing her house after receiving a permit from the KHADC.
“However, MUDA has now issued a notice, instructing her to halt construction. MUDA has even threatened to demolish her house for proceeding without their authorisation,” Shullai said.
He expressed concern that the woman was now in a difficult situation due to the ongoing jurisdictional dispute between MUDA and the KHADC.
In response, Executive Member (EM) in charge of Building Bye-Laws, Pynkhrawboklin Kharjahrin, stated that there were no records of the KHADC issuing any building permits in the Lumparing area.
He clarified that since 2001, building permissions in Lumparing and Laban had been issued by the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB).
Kharjahrin further explained that following MUDA’s creation in 2011 by the state government, building permissions in Laban came under its jurisdiction.
As per the state government’s notification, both MUDA and the Khasi Hills Building and Structure Regulatory Authority (KHBSRA) are responsible for implementing the Meghalaya Building Bye-Laws, 2021.