Thirty seven shops closed by KHADC

SHILLONG, MAY 29: Thirty seven shops owned by non-indigenous people in Iewduh were “closed-down” for operating illegally without obtaining trading license from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Thursday.

These shops were put under lock and key by the officials of the enforcement wing of the KHADC’s trading department during a surprise checking drives conducted in the different parts of Iewduh market in the city here.

During the checking drive led by Enforcement Wing superintendent most of the shops were found to operating without trading license, a document which is mandatory for every non-indigenous businessman to obtain for any business under the jurisdiction of the Sixth Schedule area.

These shops that trade in major and minor businesses were found to have violated the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation Act of the KHADC, an official of enforcement wing on duty told reporters.

The checking drive on Thursday can also be termed as the first in the history of the KHADC where such huge number of illegal shops were detected compared to earlier years when checking was just another regular routine.

According to the officials, these shops have been running illegally for many years without trading license.

The action was taken following the direction of the executive member (EM) in charge of Trade Latiplang Kharkongor who had earlier stated that KHADC under All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA) is committed towards streamlining the functioning of the council in the interest of the local indigenous people.

“The checking drive by the council’s authority against illegal shop establishments at Iewduh has given a desire results after 20 years,” Kharkongor said.
Kharkongor informed the council will utilize the powers of the enforcement wing to ensure that nobody run their businesses illegally under the jurisdiction of the council.”

Stating there are around 980 shop establishments run by non-tribals in the different parts of Iewduh Market, Kharkongor said, “Just in one checking, the enforcement wing had detected over 37 illegal shops.”

Kharkongor informed that the checking will continue and Thursday’s was just the beginning towards achieving the objective of having the enforcement wing in the council.

Kharkongor informed that the council will also undertake similar checking in all the areas falling under its jurisdiction including West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi District in the days to come.

Kharkongor warned that the council will take stern action against those traders who failed to renew their trading license and may even lead to cancellation of  their trading license.- By Our Reporter