KHADC threatens to close down banks

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 1: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today threatened to close down banks and financial institutions, that failed to recognize the land documents issued by the Council as per the KHAD (Regulation and Administration of Land) Act, 2021.

The decision was taken at a meeting convened by the KHADC chief Pyniaid Sing Syiem with representatives of the different banks and financial institutions operating under the Council’s jurisdiction.

This came after the KHADC had received complaints from several people that the different banks and financial institutions had rejected their loan applications simply because they refused to recognize the land documents issued by the Council as mandated by the said Act, which had recently received the assent of the Meghalaya Governor.  

Addressing the media after the meeting, KHADC chief Pyniaid Sing Syiem said that the deputy secretary in-charge Land has been directed to immediately issue a circular along with a copy of the KHAD (Regulation and Administration of Land) Act, 2021 to all the banks and financial institutions for their necessary action and compliance.

“We have also made it clear during the meeting that after issuing our final circular about the Act if the banks continue to reject the loan applications by not recognizing the land documents issued by the Council, we will be compelled to take action as per the Non-Tribal Regulation Act, which is we will close down all such banks,” he said.  

Syiem informed that the Act had clearly stated that land documents issued by the Council should be recognized by any authority including banks and other financial institutions.

He said that the land recording officer is competent to issue NOC for mortgage and land valuation certificates and non-encumbrance certificates.

“Therefore, as empowered by the Act, we will not allow the banks to reject the loan applications of our people,” he added.

He said that the Act has become a big blessing to the people especially those who want to strengthen ownership over their land. The KHADC has also come up with different slabs for land registration.

KHADC cracks down on illegal business in Iewduh

Chief of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Titosstarwell Chyne on Thursday directed immediate action against illegal businesses by non-tribals at Iewduh, which is one of the biggest traditional markets in the state.

This came after conducting an inspection to Iewduh market where it was found that many non-tribals are running illegal businesses by failing to obtain necessary permission including trading licenses from the Council.

Chyne was accompanied by the executive member in-charge of Trade and officials from the council’s enforcement wing and office of the Syiem of Hima Mylliem.

Speaking to reporters, Chyne expressed concern to see people from outside operating illegal businesses within the jurisdiction of the Council and said, “That is why I have asked the enforcement wing to take action against these people as they don’t have any valid documents including trading licenses.”

“We have also conducted checking on a few shops and found that they too do not have trading licenses. We will issue show cause to all of them and action to the extent of closing down their shop will be taken,” he said while announcing that regular checking against illegal traders will be conducted occasionally.

The chief executive member said he does not want to blame anyone but instead would urge everyone right from the Syiem of Hima Mylliem, his ministers and also the council’s enforcement wing to take this matter seriously.

“I also assure that the executive committee will take this matter very seriously and ensure the enforcement wing will do its job by fully implementing the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation Act where we cannot just allow people from outside to come and operate their illegal businesses in our land without getting trading licenses. Having said that, it does not mean that the EC wants that every non-tribal should get the trading license but the objective is to reduce it to ensure the livelihood of our people is not affected,” he added.

Chyne said, “I cannot carry a gun without a license. We have to first apply for the license then we buy a gun or I cannot drive a taxi without a permit so same with trade meaning these people from outside cannot operate their businesses without getting a trading license. Therefore it is highly illegal on their part to operate their businesses without a trading license and that is why we will ensure people who have not applied for the trading license will not get a trading license as they have violated.”

Further, the CEM informed that he had also sought a report to ensure no non-tribal will be allowed to carry out hawking business at Iewduh excluding those who already obtained proper trading licenses. “I also urge the EM trade to close down all illegal businesses in Iewduh,” he added.