By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 29: The Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) working president, Thomas Passah, on Wednesday said it was inappropriate for the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to be compelled to issue trading licences to companies from outside the state that secure work within KHADC areas through Government e-Marketplace (GeM) tenders.
He asserted that the Council must strictly adhere to the provisions laid down under the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District (Trading by Non-Tribals) Regulation, 1954 when issuing trading licences.
Passah said it was unjustified for the Council to automatically issue trading licences to non-tribal businessmen merely because they have expanded their shops at Iewduh.
Trade gate allotment
The KHNAM working president also took strong exception to what he described as a “false and misleading statement” made during the recently concluded Council’s winter session regarding the allotment of trade gates.
According to him, Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh, who is in charge of Trade, had claimed that allotments were made based on applications received. However, a Right to Information (RTI) reply obtained by KHNAM revealed otherwise.
As per the RTI response dated September 22, the Council received 16 applications for trade gate allotments, but only four applicants were granted work orders. Shockingly, six work orders were issued to individuals who had not submitted any applications.
“This clearly proves that the statement of the CEM on the floor of the House was false and misleading,” Passah alleged, while demanding an explanation from the Executive Member in charge of Trade.
KHNAM has also submitted a formal representation to the Council, urging for a transparent re-allotment process.
Passah said all trade gates should be reissued only after following a fair procedure — including calling for open tenders through newspaper advertisements and conducting proper scrutiny of documents — to ensure accountability and transparency in the system.
