Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Shillong: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council just slammed the door on Blinkit. Officials refused to grant the quick-commerce giant a trading license required to set up shop in Meghalaya. The move aims to protect over 4,000 local grocery stores from being pushed out by rapid-delivery discounts.
Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh stood firm on the decision. He noted that the council will not back any operation that hurts indigenous traders. As Lyngdoh put it, "The executive committee would not approve licences for platforms whose operations pose a threat to indigenous traders and small businesses."
Blinkit reportedly secured a No Objection Certificate from local authorities in Nongrim Hills. However, Lyngdoh stated that the formal application never even reached his office for review. He also reminded village leaders to stop handing out certificates without proper vetting in sectors already saturated by local workers.
The council continues to prioritize small business owners over outside digital platforms. Lyngdoh denied accusations of irregular licensing practices, citing data that shows a drop in total licenses issued by his committee. For now, Blinkit remains locked out of the Shillong market.
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