SHILLONG, AUG 5: The state government will convene an inter-departmental meeting later this month to deliberate on the long-pending issue of relocating the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, Dhar said officials have been asked to compile updated reports from all concerned departments ahead of the meeting.
“We are already planning to have a meeting, maybe in the last week of the month. I have already coordinated with my officers from the department to get updated and latest reports from different departments,” Dhar said.
“We will be having a meeting for deliberation on this issue in the last part of August,” he added.
Asked if the Harijan Panchayat Committee would be part of the first meeting, the Deputy CM said the initial round will be limited to government departments.
“The meeting will be between departments first and then we will call the people from their side,” Dhar said.
He said the government is seeking a comprehensive report covering all aspects of the issue.
“We will collect all the reports in detail within the department, and the report between the departments and Harijan Colony, and the report between the Harijan, the government and the Defence. So most likely I have told them to be ready with everything. So in the last part of this August, we will be having a meeting on this issue,” he said.
On why the matter has remained unresolved for years, Dhar acknowledged the complexity but said efforts are on to break the deadlock.
“Of course it is a long pending issue, but that is why we are trying. Since it is a long pending issue it is not easy, but we are trying our best to solve it,” Dhar said.
