SHILLONG, JULY 6: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar on Monday said the government is aiming to finalise the proposed relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong by the end of this month.
“We are planning by the end of this month. We are yet to sit for one more meeting and we will take the exact report on what is there. So maybe finally we will have the exact report,” Dhar said.
He added that during the last meeting there was a suggestion to seek land from the Defence for the relocation.
“We are awaiting the final conversation between the officials and the Defence. So let us hope by the end of this month I will be able to share something with regard to the latest status of the Harijan Colony,” he said.
Asked about the area of land being sought from the Defence for the relocation, Dhar said the government has not made a specific demand yet.
“We did not ask how much. We have to discuss it first. If they are willing, we will say this much land is required. We have identified 2-3 places but till now we have not received any signal from the Defence, because even the Chief Minister has had 2-3 meetings with the Union Defence Minister,” he said. “By when I cannot say. Let us have the discussion first, only then we will be able to take a call on how to move forward,” he added.
Asked about the fate of the Blueprint proposed and presented by the state government for the relocation of the Harijan Colony, Dhar said the plan remains in place.
“The Blueprint remains as it is. Now we have got another option with the Defence. So both sides are ready. If Plan A is not working, we will go with Plan B. The government will take a call on how to proceed ahead,” he said.
By Our Reporter
