SHILLONG, April 4: The state government is likely to invite the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) next week for a discussion on the proposed relocation of Harijan Colony settlers from Them Iew Mawlong.
Disclosing this on Monday, Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said, “I cannot share many details but most likely, we will invite them for talks.”
He said the HPC in its petition filed in the High Court of Meghalaya had shown a keen interest in sitting down with the government and pleaded that the settlers be provided a place for relocation. He said the High-Level Committee (HLC) had also recommended the relocation of the Harijan Colony settlers.
The state government has already taken possession of the land, measuring about 12,444.13 square metres, at Them Iew Mawlong after it was handed over to it by the Syiem of Mylliem on payment of a premium of Rs 2 crore.
The lease deed was signed among the government, the Syiem of Mylliem and the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) after the Cabinet had accepted the recommendations of the Tynsong-headed HLC.
Earlier, a senior official had stated the relocation of the staff of SMB from the Harijan Colony will begin after the civic body shifts its office temporarily to Lumpyngngad cottage near the Chief Secretary’s official residence at Bishop Cotton Road, followed by the renovation of the staff quarters at the present temporary office.
The state government will, it is said, allot quarters to 128 employees.
In 2018, an altercation at Iew Mawlong had led to violent unrest, paralysing life in the city for weeks together. The colony is guarded by security personnel even three and half years after the incident.
Political dept studying MeECL probe report
The report of the Justice (retd) RN Mishra-headed three-member commission, which probed alleged corruption and illegalities in the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), is lying with the Political department.
Tynsong, who is also the Power Minister, said he can share the details once the report is sent to the Power department.
The commission had submitted its report, which comprised findings and recommendations, to Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma last month.
It looked into various aspects of the functioning of the MeECL and its three subsidiaries – Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited, Meghalaya Power Transmission Corporation Limited and Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited.
The commission had prepared the report after looking into relevant records, visiting the offices of MeECL and holding interactions with its staff.
