The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has decided to take the initiative to end all illicit activities in Ïewduh, such as gambling, black market liquor and bars besides other illegal activities.
This and other matters will be dealt with at the budget session of the KHADC, which will commence on February 26.
One of these new measures will open up the way for the Mawphlang Heritage Village, near the famous sacred groves, to be privatized by outsourcing its management.
The Executive Committee will table the Khasi Hills District (Establishment, Management and Control of Markets) Regulation (second amendment bill 2020-21) in the upcoming budget session with a new clause to strengthen the rules against unwelcome activities.
“We all know that despite Ïewduh being a sacred traditional market there are lots of illicit activities going on, which is unacceptable and this act will end all these activities,” he said.
He, however, said that the council will not be able to do anything about the already existing licensed liquor stores in the market that were established before the amended act but any new liquor stores will have to get the council’s consent before opening.
With regards to the solid waste management bill that was returned by the District Council Affairs (DCA) Department of the state government, Chyne said that the bill has been modified and will be sent back to the DCA.
He also said that to further strengthen the judiciary system of the District Council Court, the EC has decided to sanction a new post this year for an additional judge and two posts for first-class magistrates.
“We will also amend the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Administration of Elaka (second amendment bill 2020-21) that will look after disputes between Himas,” he said, adding that disputes related to land will also be looked at by a first-class magistrate in place of a Deputy Secretary.
The CEM also informed that the Heritage Village at Mawphlang will be outsourced to private parties that will promote tourism and develop the site. The KHADC has already received an expression of interest in this from The Living Root, a local group. Meanwhile, a memorandum of understanding has been agreed between the KHADC and Hima Mawphlang for a revision in the share of income, with the council receiving 60 per cent and Hima 40 per cent.
Finally, the KHADC will move to take on the implementation of a ‘tied scheme’ sanctioned by the 15th Finance Commission for sanitation and water supply projects instead of leaving to the government’s Public Health Engineering Department. The Finance Commission has sanctioned Rs 91 crore for this tied scheme.
