SHILLONG: Former urban affairs minister, Paul Lyngdoh has submitted a representation to the chairman of the high-level committee (HLC), Prestone Tynsong highlighting some relevant points in the Sweepers’ Colony (Them Iew Mawlong) imbroglio.
Lyngdoh, who is currently the working president of UDP, spoke to reporters after meeting Tynsong, informing that municipal authorities are supposed to exercise authority over the plot measuring around 34,000 sq ft and that the sweepers have been allotted quarters only during their service period with the Shillong Municipal Board.
According to him, the question of allotment of any plot or dwelling unit to any servant of the Board on a permanent basis did not arise as it went against the well established parameters of any government board and institution.
Stating that allotment to persons other than employees of the Board and their immediate families is illegal and in violation of the guidelines, Lyngdoh said the settlement of municipal employees and others who are not employees is illegal.
“They cannot claim ownership or right of settlement in the place as it belongs to the Board which has accommodated them as employees,” he said.
The UDP leader said the employees should vacate the quarters after their service period is over.
He cited an instance of the former chief minister (Mukul Sangma) who created quite a stir by not vacating the CM’s official quarter even after three months.
“How can we accept their argument that the employees of the Board have the right to stay there even after the term of service is over,” Lyngdoh asked.
On the development aspects, Lyngdoh spoke about the proposed road cum flyover project from Rap’s Mansion to Sweepers’ Lane and another proposal to construct a multi-level parking lot at Sweepers’ Lane to decongest the city.
The road cum flyover project from Rap’s Mansion to Sweepers’ Lane covers an area which is approximately 1.20 km in length.
Stating that the two project proposals involved land acquisition in two parts, he said, “The revenue land was leased to three individuals and High Court Bar Association. The land compensation is already paid.”
He further said that the then state government was serious with the road cum flyover project as land compensation has already been paid.
The second part is the land measuring 7.917 acres of vacant land of Shillong Cantonment for which he had met the Union defence minister and the Union minister for urban development.
Questioning the agenda of different outside organisations visiting the state, Lyngdoh said, “It is not an issue involving the Khasi community and the sweepers. But the issue is about the ownership of land.”
In the representation to Tynsong, he suggested that the general administration department (GAD) be advised to retain the original name of Them Iew Mawlong (Sweepers’ Lane) through a notification to that effect as there were repeated references to the area as Punjabi Lane, Harijan Colony and other misleading names.
