SHILLONG, MAY 1: The State government has directed the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and Urban Affairs department to reverify and come back with clarification in regards to a recent RTI reply, which indicated that 148 of 342 families of Sweepers’ Colony are illegal settlers at Them Iew Mawlong.
The RTI reply was received from the SMB office by the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), which had immediately sought the intervention of the deputy chief minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong recently.
The HYC had alleged that RTI reply had clearly indicated that there are only 194 families, who are employees of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and other government offices, and presently residing at Them Iew Mawlong and not 342 families as claimed in the affidavit filed before the Meghalaya High Court in regards to the issue of relocation.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Tynsong said, “In fact, they (HYC) have submitted a memorandum to me and they pointed out about the RTI copy that they had received that instead of 342 families, they found that only 194 or something so I told them (the matter is) subjected to verification again. So I have already sent back this copy to the CEO of SMB as well as the Director of Urban Affairs where they have to reverify and come back and give the details on the matter.”
When pointed out that the RTI reply was given by SMB office, the deputy CM however said, “Because the way the reply of RTIs I remember correctly when I was looking about power that again that Saubhagya scheme, the RTI and the actual things that we have in the file is different, so I don’t say it is in totality correct, that’s what I sent back to the department concerned and bring back all details and if need be clarification has to be given.”
Further, Tynsong informed that the government will go ahead convening a meeting with the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) on May 7, to take a call on the pending issue of relocating the residents from Them Iew Mawlong.
