SHILLONG, JUNE 17: The Greater Laban Community Development Society (GLCDC) on Monday asked the Khasi Hill Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to issue a notification directing the cancellation of the implementation of the Meghalaya Town and Planning (MTP) Act, 1973 in the areas falling under its jurisdiction. At the same time, the organization has also urged for the implementation of the United Khasi – Jaintia Hills District (Establishment of Town Committee) Act 1962.
Submitting a memorandum to the KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) PN Syiem, the organization said the extension and operation of the law in the autonomous district is a violation of section 1 (2) of the MTP Act of 1973.
As per section 1(2) of the act, it clearly stated that the law shall extend to the whole of Meghalaya “excluding” the Autonomous Districts and as per provision provided that if the district council desires that any of the provisions of act should apply to its jurisdiction, a notification is to be issued.
According to GLCDC, since there has been no notification on this regard, the public within jurisdiction of the district council are confused whenever any work pertaining to either seeking building permission or other related matters comes up.
Recommended for the implementation of United Khasi – Jaintia Hills District (Establishment of Town Committee) Act 1962, the GLCDC said, “Since there is already an Act of 1962, the MTP Act 1973 should however not apply to the areas falling under the autonomous district council.”
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government in exercise of section 74 of the Meghalaya Town and Planning Act, 1973 has enacted the Meghalaya Building Bye Laws 2001 which is operative even to the areas falling under the district council.
“This has created lots of hardship and difficulties for the residents of Autonomous District in as much as they have to spent huge amount of money and time for seeking permission either for construction of building or any other related matter,” the GLCDC said.- By Our Reporter
