SHILLONG, JULY 28: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) decided to put a stop to all illegal liquor shops and also making it mandatory for all porters (dajus) to register and obtain labour license from the KHADC.
“We have decided to stop all shops who are indulging in selling liquor in Iewduh market as it is illegal,” KHADC’s Chief Executive Member (CEM) Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit told reporters after a meeting on Monday.
Basaiawmoit has convened a meeting with the Syiem of Hima Mylliem Latho Manik Syiem, who is looking after the market to alleviate the various problems faced by the Iewduh market.
The schedule meeting came after a surprise visit made by the CEM to the Iewduh market recently.
For the first time such a decision has been taken to stop sale of illegal liquor in Iewduh as such sale were taking place freely for decades without anybody to question.
Basaiawmoit said, “The implementation of the decision however will not be effective against such wine stores who have already got license and no objection certificates from the authorities concerned,” adding “But in case if complaints against them, the council will examine and take a call on the matter.”
While there is no proper statistic available on such illegal liquor shops, Basaiawmoit said, “As per our information, there are many such shops operating in the market including restaurants and tea stalls.”
Quite a number of local indigenous people are running such business in the market.
Asked to react on this, Basaiawmoit said, “Since the business is said to be illegal whether they are local or non-locals it depends on them to start thinking and find out ways and means for other alternatives livelihood. We will not allow such illegal business to be operated in the jurisdiction of the district council.”
The KHADC has also decided to direct all the porters to register themselves with the council besides obtaining labour license in the case of those belonging to non-indigenous community as cases of ‘pickpockets’ have increased in the market.
Basaiawmoit said that the porters will also be made to have their own uniforms and badge number. He said, “The decision is part of streamlining the Iewduh market.”
Further, the KHADC has also taken a strong exception against illegal settlers who is making the market their residence. Basaiawmoit said, “We will ensure that such illegal settlers are evicted since the market cannot in anyway be allowed for any residential purposes.”.
The KHADC also decided to look into the cleanliness of the market especially the tomato selling lane besides addressing the plight of farmers and traders in the market.
On the issue of the farmers, Basaiawmoit said, “Directions will be issued that there will be no longer be imposition of tax to farmers on agricultural products which are below 50 kgs besides deduction of one kg from every 10 kgs of any agricultural products brought to the market.”
According to Basaiawmoit, the decisions taken today will be brought before a public meeting to be held on August 12 next for the purpose of informing and enlightening the people of the region.
“All the decisions taken in today’s meeting will be made effective after the upcoming August 12, meeting,” Basaiawmoit said.- By Our Reporter
thumbs up
Welldone Mr. CEM! Hope your dream of re-shaping our main market come true! Its really painful to look at the pathetic condition of Iewduh over the past many years. I also support your decision to sweep away the illegal liquor sellers there. As the market has become more and more congested, i urge you to never let the non tribal traders- from small to big to operate their business without a valid trading license! I mean, keep up the good work which you already started.