Hima of Mylliem decree against littering

From A Reporter

SHILLONG, Aug 31: The Hima of Mylliem has issued a stern warning to shopkeepers and owners at Iewduh not to litter the market and maintain cleanliness. It also warned that if anyone is found going against the directive of the Hima, a fine of Rs 8,000 will be imposed on him or her.

The Hima issued the warning during a cleanliness awareness programme for traders and commuters of Iewduh, Shillong organized by the office of Syiem and Dorbar Hima Mylliem on Thursday at Student Field, Jaiaw and attended by more than 800 shop owners and traders. The market was temporarily closed during the programme.

Speaking to reporters after the programme, Syiem of Hima Mylliem RN Syiem said, “The Hima will implement a law from today in which those people littering the market will have to pay a fine of Rs 8,000 and half of the fine will go to anyone who spot or inform the Hima of those people involved in littering the market.”

“We have also formed a sub-committee as there is a need to transform the market and soon the committee will come up with a master plan on how to change and beautify the market,” he said.

On the issue of people residing in the market, he said, “Recently, we had conducted an inspection and we issued them a notice to leave the market within two weeks.” Asked on the illegal sale of liquor in the market, Syiem said, “This issue is under the purview of the Exercise Department, but we will also have to take strong measures to eradicate and uproot mece from the market and also the illegal gambling.”

Stating that it will to be a tough battle to uproot the illegal activities form the market, he alleged that the reason for the difficulty is because of previous leaders in the Hima who had allowed these activities to flourish for collecting money.

On the beautification of Iewduh, he informed the media that tenders have already been released by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) for construction of entry and exit points at the market at an estimated cost of Rs 52 lakh.

The Syiem, however, said that he does not have any knowledge as to why the project was yet to start.

Earlier, while delivering a speech at the programme, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board’s Environmental Engineer WR Kharkrang said, “The non-tribals conducting business at the market should also pay heed and respect the directives of both the Hima and KHADC in keeping the market clean because there might come a time when drastic measures might be taken and you (non-tribals) may be evicted from the market.”

Stating that the Waste Magement Rule 2016 states that waste must be segregated, he said, “It’s not the officials from Hima Mylliem or District Council which will have to segregate the waste, but it is the duty of the waste generator.”

He further said the pelty that has been imposed for littering across Shillong by the East Khasi Hills district Superintendent of Police is Rs 5,000.