Shillong, Mar 25: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has targeted to complete the construction of the Khasi Traditional Medicine Institute at Lum Sohpetbneng by 2020.

“The executive committee hope that it will be able to complete the construction of the institute next year,” Executive Member in-charge of Traditional Medicine Titosstarwell Chyne said in a report placed before the House during the Council session here on Monday.

He informed that the total cost of the project was Rs 5,77,92,000 sanctioned by the Centre.

“The delay in completing the project was due to time taken to obtain the forest clearance,” Chyne said.

With regards to the number of traditional healers who have been registered under the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Protection and Promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine) Act, 2011, the EM said, “As of today, there are 30 traditional practitioners. However, their registrations have been stopped because of the need to further improve the Rules.”

The EM further informed that the Khasi Traditional Medicine Commission (KTMC) has been reconstituted and members have been appointed.