ADCs to implement building byelaws in scheduled areas

SHILLONG, JAN 30: The state Cabinet on Wednesday decided to allow the three autonomous district councils (ADCs) to implement the building byelaws in areas falling under their respective jurisdictions.

“We have approved the proposal of handing over the task for granting building permission which is outside municipal area and inside master plan area to the three autonomous district councils,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after the meeting.

Tynsong said the decision was taken based on the demand from various quarters which include the traditional headmen, who have vehemently opposed the implementation of the building bye-laws by the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

He said that the state government would soon issue a notification in this regard.

Earlier last year, the state government had directed the district councils to submit their draft building bye-laws for regulating building constructions within their respective jurisdictions to the urban affairs department.

This direction was given after a tripartite meeting held between the state government, ADCs and the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH) on September 27, 2018.

Whether the ADCs have come up with their own building bye-laws, the deputy chief minister said the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) have already submitted their draft building bye-laws to the government.

“However, the building byelaw which was implemented by the MUDA is now going to be implemented by the three ADCs,” he said.

Asked, Tynsong however said, “We need to understand one thing…that you cannot have separate building byelaws in all the three ADCs we need to have one model or standard building byelaws.”

Stating that all concerns need to comply with the building byelaws, Tynsong said “We need to understand that safety is more important than anything else considering that Meghalaya falls under seismic zone V.”

He said the district councils will be asked to come up with procedures on how to simplify the issue related to granting of building permission.

By Our Reporter