KHADC chief defends license curbs, rejects Blinkit over threat to 4,000 local shops

Shillong,jun 25: KHADC chief Winston Tony Lyngdoh has defended the Executive Committee’s stricter approach to trading licenses and said the Council will not allow Blinkit to set up shop if it endangers local livelihoods.

Responding to a member’s question on indiscriminate issuance of licenses, Lyngdoh said records were available for scrutiny.

“I see one member of the House asking if the EC gives out licenses indiscriminately. I have and I have the list since the past years,” he said.

Lyngdoh cited a sharp drop in licenses since the current EC took over.

“From 2021-2022, there were more than 200 trading licenses in one year, 2023-2024 there were also about 200, but since this EC took charge last year we have given only 99, and now there are still about 30 pending,” he said.

He said approvals are now limited to specific contracts. “These trading licenses are strictly only for those doing contracts under AAI, and other works that come through GEM and portal,” Lyngdoh said.

On Blinkit’s proposal for Nongthymmai, the CEM said local traders had raised strong objections.

“Regarding Blinkit in Nongthymmai and we gave one Bar & Restaurant license because the Grocery Association came to meet me and they said, if you give License to Blinkit it will destroy about 4000 shops of local people, and these shops employ our youth, there are shops run by our mothers,” he said.

Citing that feedback, he denied the trading license.

“If I give License to Blinkit it will destroy all from those selling vegetables, meat, and Grocery items and that is the reason I refused and did not give the trading license to Blinkit and it had to shut down,” Lyngdoh said.

He added that while Blinkit had secured NOCs from Nongrim Hills and the Rangbah Shnong, the application had not reached his office.

“Blinkit tried very hard to open a shop in this state, I heard that it took NOC from Nongrim Hills and the Rangbah Shnong also gave NOC but until now it has not reached my table,” he said.

Lyngdoh made the EC’s position clear.

“If Blinkit intends to come and set up shop to destroy the livelihood of local people, this EC will not give license,” he said.

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