By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 12: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has urged the state government to immediately release its pending revenue share of Rs 50 crore from royalties on major and minor minerals.
A delegation of the KHADC Executive Committee (EC) led by CEM, Winston Tony Lyngdoh, along with his Executive Members (EMs), met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday to press for the release of the dues.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Lyngdoh informed that the total revenue share due to the Council stands at Rs 60–70 crore out of which Rs 20 crore has already been released, while the remaining Rs 50 crore is yet to be released by the government.
“The Deputy Chief Minister has assured us that he will look into the matter and take necessary steps to resolve it. He (Tynsong) also suggested ways to streamline the flow of funds and advised us to coordinate closely with the Secretary and Joint Secretary of the DCA Department,” Lyngdoh said.
On the government’s proposal to take over salary payments of employees under the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), the CEM said he had recently raised the issue during a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner and other officials. He emphasised that any grants or financial assistance extended to the GHADC should also be made available to the KHADC.
“If the government releases our dues on time, the KHADC will have no difficulty in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Council,” he asserted.
