SHILLONG, June 25: The Opposition in the KHADC on Wednesday questioned the Executive Committee (EC) over illegal toll gates and the Council’s share of mineral royalties and 1/8th of what the Himas/Elakas earn.
Raising the issue during Question Hour on the second day of the Council’s summer session, Mawshynrut MDC Srally Rashir asked whether the EC would shut down all illegal toll gates.
In response, the Executive Member in charge of Finance, Seiborlang Warbah, assured that necessary measures would be taken to prevent illegal toll operations within the KHADC jurisdiction.
On the council’s revenue from mineral royalties, Warbah revealed that the KHADC received Rs 39,05,33,000 from the state government for 2024-2025.
Rashir further questioned the existence of a toll gate at Langumshing (Afforestation).
Chief Executive Member Shemborlang Rynjah clarified that no such toll gate exists and only a forest staff quarter is present there. He also denied any knowledge of tax collections disguised as donations at the site, but assured an inquiry would be conducted.
In reply to a separate question, the CEM said that the KHADC received Rs 11,24,315 from the Hima/Elaka shares in 2023-24, and Rs 3,49,147 in 2024-25, collected as part of the 1/8the share arrangement.
Rynjah added that while five Himas/Elakas pay regularly, 26 pay irregularly, and 21 have not paid at all.
He assured the House that the EC would summon all traditional heads to explain their failure to pay.
Meanwhile, controversy erupted over a remark made by Nongshken MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri, who accused the EC of misleading the public over the presentation of supplementary expenditure before passing the main budget. Council Chairman Strong Pillar Kharjana said the remark would be expunged for being unparliamentary.
The Opposition has labelled the EC’s move as “illegal” and “unprecedented,” arguing that the Council rules only permit supplementary demands after the main budget is approved.
Earlier, at the beginning of the session on Wednesday, Kharjana told the members that he would expunge the remark made by one of the Opposition MDC. “They (EC) can mislead the people, but not this House,” he said.
Kharpuri had objected to the VPP-led EC’s move to present a supplementary expenditure before the main budget was passed.
Call for steps to curb crimes against women
Senior MDC from Nongshken, Grace Mary Kharpuri, has urged the Executive Committee (EC) of the KHADC to adopt stringent measures to curb crimes against women.
Raising the issue during the second day of the Council’s Summer Session on Wednesday, Kharpuri referred to a recent incident in Nongrah, where a woman was allegedly murdered by her husband.
While acknowledging the existence of strict laws, she expressed concern that crimes against women continue unabated.
Kharpuri emphasised the need for the Council to intervene proactively and explore effective strategies to eliminate such crimes.
She noted that the Council has already established a Women’s Cell to support female staff affected by gender-based violence.
She further suggested that the Council collaborate with schools, Dorbar Shnongs, and churches to raise awareness, while also stressing the crucial role of parents in ensuring their children’s safety.
The MDC also proposed that the Council organise awareness programmes on the safety of women and children, and encourage victims to come forward and speak out against abuse.
Echoing her concerns, Executive Member in charge of Law and Legal Matters, Deiti Majaw, informed the House that the new Executive Committee had constituted an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) within just three months of taking office.
Referring to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, Majaw pointed out that all organisations with more than 10 employees are legally required to set up an ICC.
She added that the previous EC had failed to comply with this mandate, but under the current EC, the newly formed ICC held its first meeting this month.
VPP EC issues 7 trading licences in March
The VPP-led Executive Committee (EC) issued seven trading licences in March, according to a statement presented by Executive Member in charge of Trade, Winston Tony Lyngdoh.
However, the matter was not taken up for discussion on the second day of the Council’s Summer Session, as Sohiong-Nongspung MDC Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, who had raised the question, was absent.
Interestingly, all seven licenses were valid only up to March 31.
As per the statement placed before the House, the first trading licence was issued on March 5 to the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam for organising a Trade Fair at Madan Iewrynghep.
On March 17, two licences were granted. The first went to M/S Sumathi Corporate Services Pvt. Ltd. from Secunderabad for providing manpower supply, including office and technical staff, housekeeping, and allied services at IIM Shillong. The second was issued to Children Amusement Cum Fair of Sohkha Mission, West Jaintia Hills, for organising an amusement fair at Madan Mot Tirot Sing, Mairang Mission, in Eastern West Khasi Hills.
On March 20, a licence was issued to M/S Roy and Co. from Bihar for outsourcing SLA-based maintenance and restoration of OFC faults in the Shillong area. On the same day, M/S Star Infratech from Suruchi Building, Nakham Bazar, Tura, received a licence to construct a new 11KV line with weasel conductor and a new LT line with LT cable under Package 1 in East Khasi Hills. Also on March 20, a licence was granted to Uniquely Zizira Pvt. Ltd. from Umshing for manufacturing coffee and eri silk at Umshing.
The final trading licence was issued on March 24 to M/S Idea Infinity IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd. from Bengaluru for setting up a Utility Billing System under the SAAS model at MePDCL, Lumjingshai.
