SHIILLONG: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) is sceptical about enhanced licence fees and digitisation of trading license being able to prevent non-tribals from setting up shop in the state.
In a statement, KHNAM youth wing president Thomas Passah said enhancement of the fee structure and digitisation are measures to generate revenue and will not serve the actual purpose of deterring trade by non-tribals.
An RTI reply received on May 2 revealed that the KHADC has issued licenses to 410 non-tribals in East Khasi Hills and 164 in Ri-Bhoi districts from 2017 till 2019, the statement said.
It also revealed that before issuing the trading license, the Trade department does not study the “conditions for granting or refusing a license” under the Trading by Non-tribals Regulation, 1954″.
