NCKS asks the Meghalaya govt not to shift residents of Sweeper’s Colony

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 27, 2019

SHILLONG: The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) has decided to recommend the state government not to relocate the residents of the Sweeper’s Colony from Them Iew Mawlong. 

This was informed by the NCSK member Jagdish Hiremani during his visit to the state’s capital to review the welfare of the safai karamcharis here on Thursday. 

Hiremani told reporters that the state government should wait for the report of the High Level Committee constituted to find a feasible solution into the issue and also the verdict of the Meghalaya High Court on the matter. 

The member of the commission had also conducted an inspection and interacted with the residents of the Sweeper’s Colony and government officials of various departments. He said that he would also submit a report on this regard to both Centre and State governments. 

Hiremani also questioned the High Level Committee  for allegedly taking a hasty decision by issuing notices to the residents despite the fact that the matter is still pending before the court and the committee is yet to complete its procedure. 

It may be mentioned that based on the direction of the Committee, the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) had served notices to the residents of the Sweeper’s Colony as part of the inventorisation programme. The residents have been asked to submit documents within one month’s time. 

However, the NCSK member said that the residents have served the state government for over 200 years and the land was given to them by the Syiem of Hima Mylliem. 

Asserting the need to provide all facilities to the residents, Hiremani assured that the commission is ready to sanction fund from the Prime Minister housing scheme if the state government submit a proposal.