The High Level Committee set up by Meghalaya government has sought information on the number of fourth grade employees residing at Them ïew Mawlong presently working in various departments of the government.
The Committee which has been tasked with the responsibility of finding permanent solution to the demand to shift settlers residing at Them ïew Mawlong has also asked the Directorate of Land Records and Survey to conduct a survey of the area.
This was decided during the second meeting of the committee under the chairmanship of deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong. The committee was constituted on June 4, and held its first sitting on Wednesday.
“The Directorate of Land Records and survey will carry out the survey and complete the exercise within ten days. The government at present has little information about the area (Them ïew Mawlong) when it comes to survey maps,” Tynsong said.
He said that at present, there is information that some area is under the Shillong Municipal Board and the rest under the Syiem (chief) of Hima Mylliem. “A clear demarcation of the area is not available with the government so far,” he said.
He said that the committee is also collecting information on the number of 4thgrade employees residing at Them ïew Mawlong and presently working in various departments.
Earlier the committee had also asked some of the departments to produce documents related to Them ïew Mawlong area.
Tynsong also informed some more members have been included in the committee which include tourism minister, Metbah Lyngdoh and HSPDP legislator from Mawkyrwat, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, besides officials from urban and law departments.
Others members of the committee include, urban affairs minister Hamletson Dohling, health minister A.L. Hek, home minister James K. Sangma, sports minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, P.N. Syiem, besides commissioner and secretary D.P. Wahlang as member secretary of the committee.
The committee is also seeking details related to court cases in connection with the issue.
The High Level Committee is examining all relevant records and documents, and would then recommend feasible solution to the issue related to shifting of settlers from Them ïew Mawlong. Governments in the past have also failed to resolve the issue.
The land at Them ïew Mawlong was entered into an agreement between the chief of Hima Mylliem and the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) way back in 1954.
Two plots were handed over to the SMB which include Plot A (21,837 sq ft) and Plot B (11,577 sq ft). The agreement was signed in two parts – to allow the SMB to have the sweepers’ quarters, and the other for the construction of shopping complex there. But the SMB seemed to have not implemented the agreement.
Acting chief (Syiem) of Hima Mylliem, Ricky Nelson Syiem said that the area cannot be misused for any other purposes adding that if there is any violation of the agreement, the Hima Mylliem can always object.
He said that the agreement has clearly stated that if the SMB failed to utilize the land for the given purposes, the Hima can take back the land.
Them ïew Mawlong is part of ïewduh, an oldest and biggest market in the heart of the city under the direct management of Hima Mylliem.
The Hima Mylliem chief said that if the said land is returned by the SMB, the Hima would like to expand ïewduh, which is facing congestion at present.
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