SHILLONG, July 8: The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of the FKJGP Upper Shillong Circle and KSU Upper Shillong Circle on Wednesday demanded the immediate cancellation of the land allotment and lease agreement for the proposed petrol pump at Hynniew Mer (7th Mile), Upper Shillong.
The two organisations opposed the state government’s move to allot a plot belonging to the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department in Upper Shillong to the Anjalee Petrol Pump owner in exchange for the land being acquired by the government at Anjalee Point for road widening.
A delegation of the JCC met Director of Urban Affairs Prafulla Kumar Boro and submitted a memorandum in the Khasi language seeking the immediate withdrawal of the land allotment and all related agreements for the proposed petrol pump.
The organisations said the memorandum was their first official representation in Khasi after the state recognised Khasi and Garo as official languages. They also urged the government to fully implement the Meghalaya State Language Ordinance, 2026, by accepting official correspondence in Khasi.
Speaking to reporters, FKJGP Upper Shillong Circle general secretary Kitboklang Nongphlang said the organisations have opposed the proposal since 2023, alleging that the land belongs to the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department and should be utilised for public welfare instead of being leased to a private party.
He alleged that the government has revived the proposal despite strong public opposition and questioned why it was making repeated efforts to facilitate the relocation of a private petrol pump after the Shillong Cantonment Board reportedly declined to allot land.
The organisations maintained that the land should instead be used for projects benefiting local farmers and livestock rearers. They also questioned the government’s earlier claim that the land was required for the construction of a flyover, pointing out that the four-lane road project has already been completed without any flyover being built.
The JCC demanded the immediate cancellation of the land allotment letter dated September 26, 2023, the possession letter dated November 1, 2023, and the lease agreement signed on December 15, 2023, between the Directorate of Urban Affairs and Ashok Auto Service & Partners.
Nongphlang said the director assured the delegation that their concerns would be conveyed to the government for consideration.
According to the lease agreement, a plot measuring about 13,181 square feet within the Indo-Danish Project campus in Upper Shillong has been leased to Ashok Auto Service & Partners for the establishment of a petrol pump retail outlet for 30 years from December 2023.
Nongphlang said the lessee paid a one-time premium of Rs 1 lakh at the time of execution of the lease, while an annual rent of Rs 10 per square metre is to be paid before March 31 every year or at such revised rates as may be fixed by the lessor from time to time.
