Shillong, June 19: Cabinet minister A.L. Hek on Wednesday asked the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to ensure that no genuine non-tribals are deprived of their rights to trade and livelihood.
Hek who is also the MLA representing Pynthorumkhrah constituency, led a delegation of the aggrieved party and met the KHADC’s executive member in-charge Trade, Paul Lyngdoh seeking his intervention into the recent decision of the Council to close down as many as 33 business establishments at Nongmensong area.
In his letter, Hek requested Lyngdoh to resolve the matter on humanitarian ground as they are the “genuine” residents of the area.
Lyngdoh assured to examine a detail report of all the affected non-tribal traders based on the provisions of The United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District (Trading by Non-Tribals) Regulation, 1954.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Hek said that the sudden decision of the KHADC to close down these business establishments without issuing showcause notices has affected the livelihood activities of people especially the genuine non-tribals.
“I have requested the executive member to allow them to open their shops because some of them already have trading licenses since 1995. The Executive member has agreed to give them one week to submit their documents,†Hek informed.
Hek said that he was compelled to leave aside the protocol and intervene into the matter by meeting the Executive Member, “because my people are more important than my position. I feel that genuine non tribals should not be deprived of their rights to livelihood.â€
Lyngdoh on the other hand informed that the enforcement wing of the Council had closed down the 33 business establishments after finding that they have been operating without trading license.
“I will take a detail report of all the 33 traders. However, we will go strictly as per merit of each case and if they fulfill the provisions laid down in the Regulation, we will consider as per law,†he said.
He also clarified that as per the Regulation, the Council does not need to issue any show cause notice to illegal traders.
Lyngdoh further maintained that he would do his duty as mandated by the Constitution and without fear or favour.
