Guwahati: The proposed amendment requiring service licences for non-tribal employees in trade and business has received the backing of Meghalaya’s Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne, who said the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is empowered under the Sixth Schedule to introduce such a measure.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Chyne rejected concerns over the legality of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Trading by Non-Tribals) (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
He said the legislation is intended to regulate employees and labourers, whereas trading licences are meant specifically for business activities.
Referring to earlier practices of the Council, Chyne said the KHADC had previously issued labour licences before amendments to the Labour Act shifted that responsibility to the state government.
He also recalled that during his tenure as Chief Executive Member (CEM), labourers were required to obtain clearance certificates before being employed in areas under the Council’s jurisdiction.
He expressed confidence that Governor Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar would approve the Bill, maintaining that the Council has the constitutional authority to issue such licences.
Chyne’s remarks came in response to Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai‘s appeal to the Governor to withhold approval for the Bill.
He argued that the proposed amendment improperly expands the Council’s role by bringing employees under a law that, in his view, should apply only to traders.