HPC’s demand ‘too high’, not possible for Govt to accept: Dhar

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 12, 2023

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar on Thursday said it is not possible for the government to accept the proposal of the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC).

According to him, the government will wait for the Court’s verdict on the issue.  

“Frankly speaking that is not possible because their (HPC) demand is too high. Since they have gone to the court we have to wait for the court’s verdict,” Dhar told reporters.

The government had in fact came up with a blueprint after rejecting the April 25,2022-proposal of the HPC that 200 square meters of land be provided to each of the 342 families within the European ward besides bearing the cost of construction of their homes.

The government’s proposal is to relocate the 342 families of Sweepers’ Colony from Them Iew Mawlong to the existing land of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB). However, this proposal was rejected by the HPC recently in its reply submitted to the government.

When asked, Dhar said once the deputy chief minister in-charge home is in station, a meeting will be held next week to discuss and take call on this issue.

“We have already filed an affidavit before the court and we are waiting for the court order,” he added.

According to him, the government’s affidavit has indicated the decision of the HPC and that the government will not change its stand on relocating the Sweepers’ Colony to the existing land of the SMB.