The Meghalaya government will convene a meeting with the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) after the conclusion of the Assembly Budget Session to discuss the proposed relocation of 342 families from the Harijan Colony at Them Iew Mawlong.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, while speaking to reporters on Thursday, said that certain issues remain unresolved and will be taken up in the next round of discussions.
“There are some points left to discuss. I think after the Assembly Budget Session, we will have a meeting on this,” Dhar stated.
On the proposal to allot defence land as an alternative relocation site, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the government is maintaining its earlier stand, while also exploring other options.
“We are sticking to the same thing. Yes, there are also other options, but when we sit next time, I will be able to tell you what the other alternative is if the first option does not work,” he said.
Dhar further added that defence land was sought as a second option and described it as the “most appropriate” solution for addressing the long-pending issue.
Meanwhile, he clarified that the government’s original blueprint to relocate the Harijan Colony residents to land under the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) remains very much in place.
“The blueprint to relocate the Harijan Colony to the Shillong Municipal Board’s land still stands. A final decision will be taken after further discussions,” he added.