By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 22: Questioning the fairness of the professional tax collection system, Laban-Mawprem MDC Ricky Shullai on Wednesday asked why lawyers are exempt while small-time vendors such as betel nut and betel leaf sellers are being taxed.
Responding to the query, KHADC Executive Member in charge of Taxation Seiborlang Warbah clarified that lawyers are exempt from professional tax because they do not receive a fixed monthly income. “Those earning below ₹50,000 per year are not required to pay professional tax, while those earning above ₹5 lakh annually are taxed at ₹2,500,” Warbah explained.
Earlier, he stated that the Council has collected ₹11.57 crore in professional tax between March and September this year.
Replying to a question raised by Nongshken MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri during the question hour on the opening day of the Council’s winter session, Warbah said the Council will continue to strengthen mechanisms to ensure proper collection of professional tax from all individuals and entities earning within its jurisdiction. The discussion also saw a brief exchange between Chairman Strongpillar Kharjana and Opposition Leader Titosstarwell Chyne, after the Chairman intervened to say that repetitive questions should not be raised. Chyne countered, stating that it was still the question hour and that his query was different. Mawshynrut MDC Srally Rashir and Chyne also raised supplementary questions seeking clarity on the categories of professionals taxed by the Council.
Later, Mairang-Nongkhlaw MDC Equator Nongrang joined the discussion, asking whether banks are among those paying professional tax to the Council.
VPP EC issued 13 trading licences in past 6 months
The VPP-led Executive Committee (EC) in the KHADC has issued 13 trading licences to non-tribals for businesses and occupations that local residents are currently unable to undertake over the past six months.
Replying to a question raised by Nongshken MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri during the Question Hour on the opening day of the Council’s winter session, KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh, who also heads the Trade Department, said that the licences were granted strictly in accordance with permissible provisions.
Lyngdoh assured that trading licences to non-tribals will only be issued in cases where local youths are not equipped or capable of engaging in the same trade or occupation.
“The priority of the incumbent EC is to promote self-reliance and provide opportunities to our own people first,” Lyngdoh asserted.
Responding to supplementary questions from opposition members, the CEM informed that the Council had renewed 1,473 trading licences, bringing the total number of valid licences to 5,375, which includes the 13 new licences issued between March and September 2025.
