Shillong: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council is facing intense scrutiny following allegations of double standards regarding its trading licence policies. Shella MDC Barikupar Synrem has publicly questioned Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh over what he describes as selective enforcement that prioritizes specific commercial interests over indigenous entrepreneurs.
The controversy centers on a property in Jingkieng Nongthymmai that previously housed the quick-commerce service Blinkit. The council previously shut down the Blinkit operation to prioritize local interests, yet a new bar and restaurant is now conducting business from that exact same space. Synrem argued that this contradiction has fueled public distrust regarding the council's regulatory integrity.
"If the Council deemed it necessary to act against Blinkit, questions naturally arise as to how another commercial establishment has been allowed to operate from the same location," Synrem stated. He added that the council continues to grant trading licences to non-locals for businesses that local Khasi residents are already equipped to manage, despite previous promises to protect these sectors.
Synrem also highlighted a failure in the council's oversight of village administrations. He pointed to two operational bonded warehouses that continue to function despite a formal council directive that prohibits village authorities from issuing the necessary No Objection Certificates. Calling these actions a dilution of the Sixth Schedule, Synrem is demanding a transparent explanation from leadership to ensure that policies are applied fairly rather than through informal arrangements.
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