SHILLONG, June 19: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) provides financial assistance of Rs 4,000 and up to Rs 15,000 each to families suffering minor and major damages respectively in natural calamities, Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh informed the House on Friday.
Responding to a query from Mairang-Nongkhlaw MDC Equator Nongrang regarding alleged delays in disbursal, the CEM stated that requests are processed as applications are received. He clarified that unlike fixed government scales, the aid is determined by the council’s financial position and fund availability.
Lyngdoh noted that relief applications are generally processed within a year, provided all required documents—including bank details and photographs—are submitted. He encouraged wider public awareness of the scheme, noting that many eligible families remain unaware of the provision.
Providing a constituency-wise breakdown, the CEM informed that 21 persons from Nongpoh received assistance, followed by nine from Umroi, five from Mawhati and four from Mawkynrew. Other beneficiaries included two each from Mawphlang-Diengiei, Mawlai, and Nongskhen, and one each from Mylliem and Langkyrdem-Laitkroh.
48 sacred groves under Council’s jurisdiction
In a separate reply during the Question Hour, Executive Member in-charge of Finance and Forest Seiborlang Warbah informed the House that there are 48 sacred groves under the KHADC’s jurisdiction.
East Khasi Hills district accounts for the highest number with 32 groves, followed by West Khasi Hills with 13, and Ri-Bhoi district with three. The details were provided following a query from Sohiong MDC Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah.
