SHILLONG: Paul Lyngdoh, who is the executive member in charge of trade in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), has proposed a fee revision for all trades.
He briefed the media after a review meeting of the trade department on Wednesday that included a wide range of discussions set with an objective to strengthen the department.
Pointing out that implementation of the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation Act, 1954, is not systematic, Lyngdoh said, “The meeting has proposed to enhance the fee structure of all trades.”
For some trade, first class contractors pay Rs 5,000 for renewing licence which, according to Lyngdoh, is not enough to deter people from trading. “If the fee is less, it will encourage non-tribals from opening their trade here in the state. The fee enhancement will be of a substantial amount,” he added.
In this connection, a committee is entrusted to look into the matter concerning the percentage of enhancement and headed by deputy secretary and licensing officers of KHADC.
Lyngdoh said the committee will issue a recommendation to him and the report will be studied and subsequently be placed in the Executive Committee for its final approval.
Speaking about hawkers, he said, “Doing business without licence is illegal as per the act. Hawkers should secure a licence whether from the dorbar shnong or Hima since Iewduh falls under the jurisdiction of the Hima.”
As far as the Dorbar Shnong is concerned, Lyngdoh said the district council will issue an instruction manual that will contain procedures on issuing NoC. “We will not accept NoC that comes only from the headman but the decision to issue NoC should be given after the discussion of the headman and the dorbar,” he added.
However, Lyngdoh said the KHADC does not have the data of the shnong and pointed to the need of getting an annual list of names of headmen and Dorbar Shnong.
Again, he said tribals who worked under non-tribals should be paid as per the Minimum Wages Act and the same goes to all licence holders from KHADC.
Paul also said commercial vehicles which enter scheduled areas should obtain trading licence. On the inadequate manpower in the department, Lyngdoh urged the governor to give his assent to the District Police Bill, which is still pending with the state government.
