Shillong taxi
Yellow-and-black taxis at Motphran point in Shillong. Image credit - Northeast Now

Guwahati: Titosstarwell Chyne, Opposition Leader of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) in Meghalaya, advocated for non-tribal owners of tourist and local taxis to obtain trade licenses to operate within scheduled areas under the council’s jurisdiction.

Chyne stated that non-tribals must secure trading licenses to conduct business in Sixth Schedule areas, adhering to the 1954 Trading By Non-Tribals Regulation.

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This requirement should equally apply to local and tourist taxis owned by non-tribals operating in these areas, he said.

To enforce compliance, Chyne urged the state government to collaborate with the council, mandating non-tribal permit applicants to submit trading licenses.

Currently, the council verifies trading licenses for incoming trucks and buses but Chyne recommended extending this scrutiny to tourist taxis.

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While addressing the tourist taxis association’s demands, Chyne cautioned against measures harming the state’s tourism sector.

He stressed considering the livelihoods of residents dependent on tourism.