By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 23: Several villages are being denied access to development schemes from the KHADC despite being taken out of the Nongpoh and Nongstoin Town Committees, leading to residents missing out on development schemes and benefits, Opposition members said on Thursday expressing concern.
Raising the issue during the Question Hour on the second day of the Council’s winter session, Nongpoh MDC Rona Khymdeit said she has not been able to propose any schemes for villages that were earlier notified under the Nongpoh Town Committee (NTC).
She questioned why the excluded villages continue to remain under the jurisdiction of the town committee despite the de-notification.
Echoing similar concerns, Mawshynrut MDC Srally Rashir said many villages in Nongstoin continue to face problems since the state government has not officially declared Nongstoin as an urban centre. “Now these villages are neither under the District Council nor recognised by the state government. As a result, they are losing out on the benefits of various schemes,” Rashir said, urging the Executive Committee (EC) to address the matter and ensure that de-notified villages receive their due share of development schemes.
Responding to the queries, Executive Member in-charge of Town Committees, Deity H Majaw, informed that the notification excluding the villages from the Nongpoh Town Committee was issued on November 17, 2020. “We have already intimated the government about the exclusion of eight villages after the notification was issued. It now depends on the government to take the necessary action,” Majaw said.
She assured the House that the EC will once again take up the matter with the state government and urge it to take immediate steps to enable the de-notified villages to avail schemes from the Council.
Responding to a supplementary question from Opposition Leader Titosstarwell Chyne, Majaw informed the House that eight villages have been de-notified from the Nongpoh Town Committee, while 11 villages still remain undecided.
KHADC passes viewpoint ops to Hima Mawlong
The KHADC has handed over the Wah u Tim View Point to Hima Mawlong to run the tourist spot.
This was informed by Executive Member (EM) in charge of Council Assets Pynkhrawboklin Kharjahrin, while responding to a query raised by Shella MDC, Barikupar Synrem during the question hour on the second day of the Council’s winter session on Thursday.
Responding to a supplementary question, he said that the development of Wah u Tim View Point has already been completed up to 97%.
According to Kharjahrin, the remaining three percent work includes facilities for visitors, beautification of the tourist spot, and a few other minor works and all these will be complete once the view point is inaugurated.
He further stated that the Executive Committee (EC) of KHADC has prioritised all projects and schemes of the District Council to ensure that they are completed on time.
Meanwhile, Executive Member in-charge Elaka, Powell Sohkhlet while replying to the question raised by Mawshynrut MDC, Srally Rashir informed that the council is authorised to issue the NOC for the setting up of the coke factory under Section 4(1)(i) and Section 12(2) of the KHAD (Regulation and Administration of Land) Act 2021.
