By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 19: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Executive Committee (EC) will table an official resolution during the upcoming three-day Winter Session of the Council to oppose the Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The Winter Session of the Council will be held from October 22 to 24.
KHADC Executive Member (EM) Powell Sohkhlet told The Shillong Times on Sunday that once the resolution is unanimously passed by the House, it will be forwarded to the state government. Sohkhlet informed that the EC had earlier written to the Ministry seeking exemption from the applicability of the OM, which pertains to the proposed uranium mining in areas falling under the Council’s jurisdiction.
The Council’s letter was sent in response to a communication received from the Ministry on September 8. Reiterating the Council’s firm stand, Sohkhlet said that the traditional landholding systems — Ri Kynti and Ri Raid — must be protected within the Scheduled Areas under the KHADC.
The OM has triggered widespread concern among local pressure groups, who view public consultations as a crucial safeguard in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
Meanwhile, the EC will also introduce an amendment to the Meghalaya Building Bye-Laws, 2021, currently enforced by the Council. According to Sohkhlet, several provisions in the existing bye-laws have made it difficult for landowners with small plots to construct houses.
“People with small plots of land cannot build houses as the bye-laws require them to maintain a considerable distance from adjacent structures. If they comply with these set distances, the land becomes too small for construction,” Sohkhlet explained.
He added that the amendment was proposed following several complaints from citizens who have faced difficulties adhering to the current provisions. It may be noted that the KHADC has its own set of building bye-laws framed in conformity with the state bye-laws.
