Shillong, October 25: The traditional heads of Upper Shillong today under the banner of the Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong (SKNS), Upper Shillong today sough clarification from Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, Minister Urban Affairs on the allege encroachment of Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) into areas which are outside the jurisdiction of Municipal.
After meeting with the Urban Affair Minister Mr Gilbert G. Laloo, General Secretary of SKNS, said, “We had sought clarification from the Minister on the encroachment of MUDA into areas falling outside the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to enforce the Meghalaya Building Bye-Law 2011.”
In the meeting with the SKNS the Urban Affairs minister inform the synjuk though Upper Shillong area does not fall under the jurisdiction of SMB however MUDA has clubbed the areas in Upper Shillong under the Master Plan Areas and Scheme Areas with an aim to check the construction of buildings having many floors which might affect the people if any natural calamities happen at any given point of time.
He further said that the Minister has informed that the general public does not need to attain an Occupancy Certificate from MUDA when they reconstruct their Assam type houses however the certificate is need only when constructing an RCC building.
Asked on the allegations that MUDA officers are involved in seeking high prices from people seeking Occupancy Certificate Gilbert said that the Minister in charge Urban Affairs informed that the MUDA officers are aware of the rules and guidelines however are not following them.
In connection to deduction of 1 percent Cess tax as being done in areas falling under SMB, Gilbert said that the Minister has clarified that tax should be paid by the contractor who is constructing the building and the Minister has assured to check that the Cess tax should not be applicable in areas outside Municipal and that action will be taken against any MUDA officer who are collecting such tax from the people.
The Minister has also made it clear to the Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong-Upper Shillong that there is no encroachment from MUDA into areas falling outside SMB because it is the responsibility the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to constitute and frame rules on building construction guideline in its jurisdiction.
Further the Synjuk has welcomed the proposal from the department of Urban Affairs to constitute an Agency beside MUDA to oversee those areas falling outside MUDA’s jurisdiction.
