Shillong, Feb 11: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has confirmed that the second phase of relocation of the Harijan Colony or sweeper colony from ïew Mawlong has begun as the Government shifted the office of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) from the SMB quarters at Bivar Road on Thursday.

Speaking to Hub News over the phone, the Dy CM said that the shifting of the SMB office to a different location is the initial step taken by the Government in solving this long pending issue of relocating the Sweeper colony. “This shows the seriousness of the government, just after the submission of the report by the High Level Comittee (HLC) the government has directed the Urban Affairs department to take necessary action,” he said.

Tynsong informed that the CEO of SMB under the direction of the state government has shifted the SMB office to the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) building which is opposite to the Municipal Board office in Bivar Road, Shillong.

“The temporary office of Basin Development Authority has been renovated so that the SMB employees can be shifted and start functioning as soon as possible,” he added. The Dy CM who also headed the High Level Committee (HLC) told Hub News that it is not possible to relocate all the residents of the Sweeper colony to one quarter, therefore, the Government has directed other departments to arrange quaters for their employees who are residing at Sweeper’s Colony or Harijan Colony at the moment.

On asked about the ‘illegal settlers’, Tynsong said that the Government will go ahead with the process of relocation and the illegal settlers will be dealt with in accordance with the Meghalaya Public Premises (Eviction or Unauthorised Occupants) Act of 1980.

“The question of force eviction will not arise as from the Government we have given ample time for them (illegal settlers) to find a new place to stay… we did not chase them away from our State,” added Tynsong.

In recent days, the employees of the SMB have finished shifting three departments including the office chamber of the Chief Executive Officer. Whereas, the remaining nine more departments under the SMB are expected to be fully shifted by end of February 2022.