Shillong, July 6: The state government has planned to arrive at a decision on the proposed relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong by the end of this month, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Monday.
“We are planning by the end of this month. We are yet to sit for one more meeting and we will take the exact report on what is there. So maybe finally we will have the exact report,” he told reporters when asked about status of the long-pending issue.
Dhar said one of the options discussed in the last meeting was to request land from the Defence authority for relocating the colony.
The government is now waiting for feedback from Defence officials following discussions held at different levels.
“We are awaiting the final conversation between the officials and the Defence. So let us hope by the end of this month, I will be able to share something with regard to the latest status of the Harijan Colony,” he said.
On the extent of land being sought, Dhar said no specific demand has been made so far as talks are yet to begin in detail.
“We did not ask how much. We have to discuss it first. If they are willing, we will say this much land is required. We have identified 2-3 places but till now we have not received any signal from the Defence,” he said.
Dhar pointed out that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has already had two-three meetings with the Union Defence Minister on the matter.
Addressing queries on the Blueprint prepared by the state for the relocation, Dhar said it continues to be on the table, but the government is also keeping the Defence land option open as an alternative.
“If Plan A is not working, we will go with Plan B,” he said.
