JOWAI, Feb 9: The Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dollois for implementation of its resolution passed in the last session.
The resolution allows Dollois to collect tax from forest produce besides sand, pebbles and any others from various Elakas.
The Deputy Secretary of the Council Executive Committee convened a special meeting with as many as 17 Dollois from various Elakas to sign the MoU for collection of taxes from respective Elaka as per customary practices.
Opposition members, particularly the BJP including Lakhon Biam, Krison Langstang and Dawan Lyngdoh, have strongly opposed the move stating that such a practice was abolished during the British Raj.
“The MoU is nothing but to extort money from our own for the benefit of some vested interests”, the BJP members said.
They have urged the people of Jaintia Hills to come forward and stand together against the JHADC’s move.
