By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 12: The Executive Committee (EC) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has come under sharp criticism after an explanation notice issued to an officer of the Professional Tax Department was leaked and widely circulated on social media.
The notice, dated October 10, sought clarification from the concerned officer on why tax demand notices were served to several local traders on September 29 and 30 — a period when the new EC had not yet been constituted following the resignation of the then Chief Executive Member (CEM).
According to the document, the officer was instructed to submit a written explanation within seven days of receiving the letter, clearly stating why disciplinary action should not be taken against them under existing rules.
A senior MDC, expressing concern over the leak, said on Sunday that making internal correspondence public was “not a healthy trend.”
“Which officer would feel comfortable working when confidential letters are being shared publicly? We cannot put official file work or internal notings in the public domain,” the MDC remarked.
He further questioned whether the officer was being exposed merely to safeguard the image of the current VPP-led EC.
The district council member also pointed out that the Governor had authorised former CEM Shemborlang Rynjah to continue discharging the duties of the EC until a new CEM was elected.
“How can the present CEM, Winston Tony Lyngdoh, claim that there was no Executive Committee when the tax notices were issued?” he asked.
Earlier, the KHADC EC had revoked the tax orders issued to small shopkeepers as well as tea stall owners, which directed them to pay professional tax to the Council.
The EC also served a show-cause notice to the officer responsible for issuing the directives.
The decision came after reports in sections of the media accused the VPP-led EC of harassing small traders by demanding professional tax.
CEM Lyngdoh later clarified that all such notices would be recalled since they had been issued “illegally and without proper authority” during the transition period following the resignation of Rynjah as CEM.
