Shillong, July 2: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Executive Member Ricky A.J. Shullai on Thursday clarified that the proposed amendments to the Council’s trading legislation are not intended to ban or target non-tribal traders, but are aimed at strengthening the implementation of the existing law.
The clarification comes days after a BJP MLA and Cabinet Minister submitted a memorandum to the Governor seeking early assent to the pending KHADC Bills relating to the regulation of non-tribal traders.
Addressing the media, Shullai said the proposed amendments have been widely misunderstood by certain sections of the public. He stressed that the Bill does not introduce a new law but seeks to amend the existing legislation governing trade and business within the Khasi Hills Autonomous District.
He explained that under the existing KHADC law, every person engaged in trade, business, profession, calling, or employment within the Khasi Hills Autonomous District is already required to obtain a trading or service licence. The legislation, he noted, has been in force since 1954 and has never imposed a blanket prohibition on non-tribal individuals carrying out business or employment in the region.
According to Shullai, one of the key amendments proposes making it mandatory for non-tribal employees in the unorganised sector to obtain a service licence. He said the measure is intended to improve regulation, documentation, and monitoring, rather than restrict legitimate employment.
He also stated that the Bill proposes giving local headmen a greater role in the licensing process, which would strengthen verification mechanisms and improve the implementation of the law at the grassroots level.
Responding to concerns that the legislation would affect all non-tribal workers, Shullai clarified that the proposed provisions are primarily aimed at the unorganised sector. Employees working in organised sectors such as banks, educational institutions, and government departments will continue to be governed by the existing rules and regulations and will not be adversely affected.
Appealing to the public not to be influenced by misinformation, Shullai urged people to understand the actual provisions of the Bill before forming opinions. He reiterated that the objective of the amendment is to ensure better regulation of trade and employment in accordance with the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and not to target any particular community.
