Shillong, Oct 25: The government will decide on the relocation of the 342 families of the Harijan Colony by this year.
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar told reporters on Friday that the government is waiting since there is a request made by the delegation of the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC).
When asked about the government’s plan to write to the defence authorities for land to relocate the residents, the deputy CM said, “I am not talking about defence. They want defence land but our own land is ready and in place as per the blueprint. So there’s still some discussion left so we are yet to finalise on that part.”
“Yes, we always insist as per our blueprint. Since there is talk and some part is left, we are still waiting for that. But likely we want to close this chapter if not by November but by the end of this year,” Dhar said.
The deputy CM said that the request for defence land is a suggestion given by the HPC.
“It is a suggestion from them. If we got it is well and good so why should we give our own land. It is as simple as that,” he said.
“We are exploring. Suppose if we get defence land, we don’t have to give anymore from government land. Lastly, if we get a reply from the defence and there is no land, we have to go ahead with our own land.”
He said the government land as per the blueprint is around 2-3 acres.
