Sanbor Shullai Calls For Streamlining Trade Licence System

Sanbor Shullai Calls For Streamlining Trade Licence System

SHILLONG: BJP legislator from South Shillong, Sanbor Shullai on Thursday held talks with Executive Member (EM) in-charge Trade of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Paul Lyngdoh on the alleged harassment of non-tribal traders in the name of checking trading licence.

According to Sanbor, the non-tribal traders alleged that the checking of trading licence are being carried out by persons who are not authorized by law.

“…therefore, confusion has been created about the authenticity of the process of checking,” the BJP legislator said. In a memorandum submitted to the EM in-charge Trade, Shullai suggested that the enforcement personnel entrusted with the job should represent themselves in uniform while conducting checking and also be accompanied by the members of the Dorbar Shnong concerned.

The BJP MLA also said that the licencee during renewal are harassed by the demand for all kinds of documents – house owner certificate, NoC from the Syiem of Mylliem, Rangbah Shnong Certificate and Residential Certificate.

“But as laid down in section 3 A (2) of the Khasi Hills District (Trading By Non-Tribal’s) Regulation, 1954, it is clearly stated that in case of a licence granted, the same shall normally be renewed on application unless there is any complaint or any other consideration which the Executive Committee thinks fit to call for a report or fresh recommendation from the village headman and his Dorbar,” Shullai said in his memorandum to Lyngdoh.

Shullai pointed out as per the act, there is no requirement for furnishing fresh documents at the time of the renewal, except that the licencee has to submit has original Trading Licence and pay the prescribed fee applicable.

He also informed Lyngdoh that the traders had informed him that the KHADC for the past many years has been accepting application for renewal of licence from genuine non-tribal traders and issuing them receipt of the same.

“Unfortunately the licence pending renewal are not being returned to them within the stipulated period of time; rather it has been brought to my notice that the licencee do not receive the pending licence,” Shullai said.

The BJP legislator said that the receipt issued by the KHADC when a licencee deposits his Trading Licence clearly mentions that the receipt is valid for ten days and the licence has to be collected within ten days from the date of issue. But in reality, the licence is not being issued within the stipulated time and this contradicts the law prescribed by the Acts and Rules framed by the KHADC.

He also said that the hike in licence fee should be done in accordance with laws of the Sixth Schedule, even as he added that the sudden hike in fee is likely to increase the rate of goods and affect the locals, especially the daily wagers and those from the BPL families.

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