SHILLONG, June 18: The Executive Committee of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Thursday clarified that the proposed digitisation of trading licence services would be limited to the renewal of existing licences and not fresh applications.
The clarification followed the Opposition’s concern about the online system potentially making it easier for non-tribal traders from outside the state to get licences.
The issue was raised during Question Hour on the second day of the Council’s summer session by Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne, who sought clarity on whether the EC intended to introduce an online system to issue trading licences to non-tribal traders and businessmen.
He said the issue of granting trading licences to non-tribal traders has long been debated in the Council, with repeated calls from various quarters to reduce the number of licences issued to create greater business opportunities for the indigenous population.
Referring to the VPP-led Executive Committee’s stated policy of promoting local entrepreneurship, Chyne questioned whether an online system could unintentionally undermine those efforts by enabling non-tribal traders from outside Meghalaya to submit applications remotely.
He also sought clarification on the legal implications of such a move, arguing that once an applicant submits an online application and pays the prescribed fees, questions could arise as to whether the Council would be obligated to process or approve the application.
“I fear that this could open the door for non-tribal traders from outside the state to take advantage of the system,” Chyne said.
Earlier, Laban-Mawprem MDC Ricky Shullai highlighted the growing demand for digitisation among traders and members of the public, particularly for renewal of trading licences. He said delays in processing applications and the heavy workload on Council staff often create difficulties for applicants.Shullai further pointed out that the existing manual system leaves room for middlemen to exploit traders and argued that digitisation could improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in service delivery.
Replying to the concerns, KHADC Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh clarified that the Council has no plans to introduce an online system for fresh trading licence applications.
He said the Council is only exploring the feasibility of digitising certain services, including online renewal applications, digital payments, online tracking of application status, digital issuance of licences and certificates, and online complaint and inspection management.
“There is no question of introducing online applications for fresh trading licences. Any person applying for a new trading licence will still have to come to the Council office and submit all required documents physically,” Lyngdoh said.
According to the CEM, introducing a digital system would require substantial investment in software, digital signature infrastructure, online payment gateways, and technical manpower and would depend on the Council’s financial capacity and the Executive Committee’s approval.
Lyngdoh noted that the Council has already introduced online payment of professional taxes and is examining whether a similar mechanism can be adopted for trading licence renewals.
He maintained that digitisation could significantly improve administrative efficiency by streamlining renewal procedures, reducing delays, plugging revenue leakages and enabling real-time monitoring of pending applications.
