New MUDA notification rejected

SHILLONG, AUG 27: KHADC along with hundreds of traditional chiefs on Thursday rejected the new notification of the MUDA to implement the Meghalaya Building Bye-Laws, 2011 in places falling under the schedule areas.

The decision was taken at a meeting convened by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) with around 400 traditional chiefs and headmen of different Hima, Raid and Dorbar Shnong on Thursday.

“The meeting has unanimously decided to strongly oppose the new notification of the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA), which seeks to continue to implement the building byelaws in the schedule areas,” KHADC CEM PN Syiem told reporters after the four-hour long meeting.

He said, “The 10 Dorbar Shnong which were included in the new notification has also come forward to express their opposition and even those villages failing under the Shillong Municipal Administrative Area but still are within jurisdiction of the Sixth Schedule have questioned why they have been included in the notification.”

The recently notified notification of the MUDA stated that Meghalaya Building Byelaws, 2011 will be operational only in 12 Urban areas, which was as per 2011 Census.

These include Shillong Municipality (ST), Shillong Cantonment (ST), Nongthymmai (CT), Umlyngka (CT),  Nongmynsong (CT), Lawsohtun (CT), Pynthorumkhrah (CT), Umpling (CT), Mawpat (CT), Madanrting (CT), Mawlai (CT) and Nongskeh (CT).

Syiem informed that the meeting has also decided to welcome the KHAD (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs & Headmen) Rules, 2015 passed and notified in the Meghalaya Gazette.

“We have also decided to constitute a Special Committee between the executive committee and the traditional heads which will work on different issues related to the matter,” he said.

He informed that the Special Committee would suggest amendment if necessary to the Rules framed by the KHADC so that the executive committee can take necessary steps for fine tuning it.

According to him, KHADC has also invited views and suggestions from the traditional heads with regards to the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

The meeting also resolved to oppose the Ordinance brought by the state government to provide temporary relief to the traditional headmen in view of the Meghalaya High Court order issued last year.- By Our Reporter