Traditiol heads' body petitions CM, KHADC CEM

Demands withdrawal of notification of MUDA Building Bye-Laws outside Shillong municipality areas

From A Correspondent

Shillong, Nov 7: The Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH), a conglomerate of traditiol village heads of Khasi and Jaintia Hills, has written to Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) PN Syiem opposing implementation of the MUDA Building Bye-Laws outside Shillong municipality area.

In the memorandum to Sangma, SNSBH urged upon his government to de-notify the notification of 1989 “once and for all”.

The SNSBH pointed out that it was pertinent to state that the Act was initially enforced only in the normal areas of Shillong and later (vide Notification No. TCP/111/88/40 Dated: 13.01.1989) it was enforced in the entire State.

“This Act had then been passed through a mere notification only; and has remained as it is till date wherein no legislation is tabled before the floor of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly with regard to the same,” the SNSBH stated in its memorandum.

Entangled by the whole lot of confusions brought about by the “illegal ectment” of the MUDA Byelaws outside its jurisdiction, the body of traditiol heads in its memorandum stated that it sees withdrawal of the notification as the only way out to bring relief to the affected people.

The SNSBH also gave the government a 20-day ultimatum to act into its demand.

Meanwhile, in its memorandum to Syiem, the headmen’s body referred to a judgement passed by the High Court of Meghalaya on 16th February this year on a PIL filed by one Tirot Singh Syiemlieh regarding implementation of MUDA Building Bye-Laws outside Shillong municipality areas.

According to the SNSBH, though the High Court of Meghalaya permitted implementation of the Building Bye-Laws outside Shillong municipality areas, it, however, maintained that the matter of jurisdiction over the areas can be re-examined by competent authorities, including the judiciary, subject to an appeal that may be filed by the KHADC.

“It had been over six months since the High Court of Meghalaya had passed the judgement on the above mentioned PIL, but unfortutely the KHADC has remained silent till date,” the headmen’s body stated.

“The Synjuk is of the opinion that the KHADC has not taken this matter seriously and is also not aware of the hardships faced by the people under its purview by the illegal implementation of MUDA Building Bye-Laws outside Shillong Municipality Areas,” the SNSBH added.

The SNSBH also urged the KHADC to attend the matter and file relevant appeal before the High Court of Meghalaya within 20 days from the date of receipt of this letter and bring relief to the people under its area as mandated by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.