Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong, on Saturday said that the deputy commissioner have been tasked with the job of giving or denying permission for any kinds of gathering during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Concern deputy commissioners have been authorised from case to case, need to need basis and according to their wisdom they can issue NoC,” Tynsong told reporters.
Recently, there was uproar over the fact that the district administrations of East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts had given permission for holding political meetings organised by the BJP in Shillong and Nongpoh.
The meetings were attended by BJP national general secretary, Arun Singh and other senior party functionaries.
Stating that he was not aware of any such political meetings, the Deputy Chief Minister said that ultimately the deputy commissioners will assess whether the stage is good enough so that social distancing can be maintained or not.
“So that’s what I am saying, ultimately we have decided that the deputy commissioners are the best people to issue or not to issue (permissions),” Tynsong added.
When told that the leader of Opposition, Dr. Mukul Sangma had alleged that even Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma recently organised a series of programmes in Garo Hills, Tynsong said that the government has a standing order.
“The SOPs are there, church gatherings are not allowed and political meetings also are not allowed. Anybody who violates that they need to be punished,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
