Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Sanbor Shullai has said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma should take suo moto cognisance of the public statement made by the transport operators in Assam to stop commercial vehicles transporting essentials to Meghalaya.
Condemning the statement made by the All Assam United Motor Transport Association, Shullai said their threat to stop the transport of all goods to Meghalaya, including daily essential items is highly objectionable.
“Such a step goes against the centuries old bond shared by our people, breaking the spirit of brotherhood amongst Northeast states,” he said in a statement today.
He urged the Assam Chief Minister, who is also the chief convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance, to take suo moto cognisance of such threats, which he said would adversely affect the lives of common people.
The reaction of the transport operators in Assam followed the demand by All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) to the State government to restrict the movement of Assam tourist taxis to tourist spots in the State.
“Such contentious matters need to be amicably resolved between both the associations. Inspiration can be taken from measures adopted by other states like Sikkim and Darjeeling in West Bengal, where stakeholders of both the states agreed upon some common working procedures,” Shullai suggested.
He said the concerns raised by the AKMTTA are genuine, but both parties should come to an understanding which will benefit common people and tourists alike.
Shullai, who is also the chairman of the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation said, “We as stakeholders in Meghalaya need to bring in measures by giving better facilities in terms of reasonable rates, better amenities and friendly behaviour so that tourists coming from outside the state feel more comfortable, enjoy their stay in Meghalaya and prefer local tourist cabs. All tourist taxi associations of Meghalaya and other stakeholders should sit across the table and discuss this matter to promote tourism.”
Further, he said the government has taken enough measures to boost the tourism industry, which is likely to touch its peak within the next 10 years.
