MPs memo to Jaitley

SHILLONG, JULY 27: A delegation led by the two MPs from Meghalaya today sought the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s intervention to retain the Chief Commissioner’s office at Shillong.

The delegation which comprises of NPP Tura MP Conrad K Sangma, Congress Shillong MP Vincent H Pala, former minister AL Hek and representatives of the joint action committee (JAC) of the Customs and Central Excise Service Association also submitted a memorandum during the meeting at New Delhi.

The memorandum was signed by MPs from all the North East States from various political parties.

The delegation apprised the finance minister that the chief commissioner’s office had been in Shillong for the past 15 years.

The department had already purchased a 15 acre land in Shillong to construct the chief commissioner’s office.

At the same time the Chief Commissioner office was only an administrative set up and did not deal directly with public, which is being done at the commissioner level. The office of the Commisioner level already exists in Guwahati, Shillong and all the States of North east.

Hence according to the delegation, the shifting or staying of the office of chief commissioner would not affect the day to day functioning of the department.

The delegation also mentioned to the finance minister about the matrilineal system that exists in meghalaya and shifting of the office to guwahati would affect the entire family.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation and had assured the delegation that he will look into the matter positively.