Shullai urges Assam CM to intervene into threats by association to stop transportation of goods to Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 21, 2024

BJP legislator from South Shillong Sanbor Shullai on Saturday urge the Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take suo moto cognizance of the threats issued by the All Assam United Motor Transport Association to stop transportation of goods to Meghalaya.

In a statement, Shullai said, “The recent and widely publicized statements by All Assam United Motor Transport Association threatening to stop the transport of all goods to Meghalaya, including daily essential items are highly objectionable and deserve to be strongly condemned. Such a step goes against the centuries old bond shared by our people, breaks the spirit of brotherhood amongst Northeast states.”

“I would request the honourable chief minister of Assam and also the NEDA chief convener shri Himanta Biswa Sharma that the Assam government should take Suo motto cognizance of such threats which adversely affect the lives of common people,” he added.

Shullai said that such contentious matters need to be amicably resolved between both the associations. An inspiration can be taken from measures adopted by others state like Sikkim and Darjeeling in West Bengal, where stakeholders of both the states agreed upon some common working procedures.

Further, the MLA said that concern raised by All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association is genuine, however, it should be mutually resolved with the Assam tourist taxi association. 

“Both the parties should come to an understanding which will benefit common people and tourists alike,” he said while adding “We, as stakeholders in Meghalaya, need to bring in measures by giving better facilities in terms of reasonable rates, better amenities and friendly behaviour so that tourists coming from outside the state feel more comfortable, enjoy their stay in Meghalaya and prefer local tourist cabs. All tourist taxi associations of Meghalaya and other stakeholders should sit across the table and discuss this matter to promote tourism.”

He informed that the Government of Meghalaya under the leadership of Conrad Sangma has taken enough measures to boost the Tourism industry but we need to properly grab and build upon this opportunity. 

Furthermore, Meghalaya Tourism is likely to touch its peak within the next 10 years as the initiative taken by the MDA government can increase our Tourism capacity upto 50 lakhs per year. 

“So, it’s in the interest of both the states that a common understanding be reached between both Assam and Meghalaya tourist taxi associations so that it can benefit the region,” he asserted.