Shillong, July 23: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Executive Member, in-charge Trade, Paul Lyngdoh has introduced the United Khasi Jaiñtia Autonomous District (Trading by Non-Tribals) Rules, 2019 which aimed at hiking the trade license fees.

“The executive committee after due consideration deems it necessary to revise the license fees to be paid by Non-tribal trader doing trade or business within the tribal areas of Khasi Hills District with effect from the financial year 2019-2020,” Lyngdoh said while placing a report of the EC on the matter on the first day of the summer session on Tuesday.

He said the decision to amend the First and Second Schedule of the KHAD (Trading by Non-Tribals) Rules, 1959 as amended is based on the fact that the existing license fees can no longer sustain even the basic requirements for the administration of the subject.

Consequently, he said due to the exigency of the matter, the EC under Rule 29 and 30 of the Assam/Meghalaya Autonomous District (Constitution of District Councils) Rule 1951 had vide Executive Order dated May 2, notified the new rate of license fees.

“…the same was communicated to the District Council Affairs, Government of Meghalaya vide letter dated May 2 with a request to have the same published in the official gazette of Meghalaya as required under paragraph 11 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India,” Lyngdoh added.

According to him, after in-depth study and considering the growing diversity in trading brought about by rapid globalization and ever-changing business environment, it is deemed necessary to revise and at the same time supersede and substitute the Rules of 1959 with more comprehensive KHAD (Trading by Non-Tribal) Rules, 2019, he said.