Meghalaya: Shops without proper papers from Shillong Municipal Board fined, shut

Numerous shops on Keating Road, Shillong, faced closure during a surprise inspection conducted by the Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) Central body and FKJGP Malki Circle, in collaboration with officials from the Shillong Municipal Board.

The inspection was to check if the shops were operating with proper trade licences.

“We came here from the FKJP central body as well the FKGP multi circle to check the business licenses run by the several establishments. While checking we found that so many shops are running illegally without obtaining a proper license from the Municipal Board and also some business who got the license they did not renew the license. According to rules and regulations of the Municipal board the illegal shops have to pay Rs 50 per day and the shops who did not renew the license have to pay a fine of Rs 500 per year”, said FKJGP leader Khrawkupar Nongsiej.

Some businesses with licenses had failed to renew them. According to municipal board regulations, illegal shops are subject to a daily fine of Rs 50, while those with lapsed licenses face a yearly penalty of Rs 500.

The organization pointed out that certain shops had not renewed their licenses for over 12 years.

FKJGP expressed dissatisfaction with the relatively low fine amounts and planned to meet with the CEO of the Shillong Municipal Board to discuss the issue and call for stricter enforcement of license checks.

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