SHILLONG, JULY 21: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Thursday asked the urban affairs department to indicate two-three places in the proposed blueprint for relocation of the 342 families of Sweepers’ Colony from Them Iew Mawlong.

This came after there was stiff opposition from the dorbar shnong of Mawbah on the government’s move to allot 3 acres of land near RP Chest Hospital for construction of housing flats to relocate the residents of the Sweepers’ Colony.

Tynsong, who is also chairman of the High Level Committee (HLC), however said the land near the RP Chest hospital is one of the areas identified for relocation but no final decision has been taken in this regard.

“Therefore, we have asked the urban affairs department to bring us the blueprint (that will indicate) not only one place but it should be two or three places,” he said.

Tynsong informed that he had met the headman of Mawbah and West Shillong legislator Mohendro Rapsang and they have expressed their discontentment and displeasure to relocate the residents from the existing location to that place.

“I told them to please be patient as I cannot say anything right now since the blueprint is not in my hand right now. I understand and I respect the sentiments of the local authority so we will try our best from the government to adjust accordingly so that all sides will be happy,” he said.

The Harijan Panchayat Committee had recently expressed its unhappiness at the decision to relocate them to Mawbah.

HPC leader Gurjit Singh had reminded that on April 25, the HPC had agreed to be relocated from the Them Iew Mawlong on conditions that the state government should provide 200 square meters of land to each of the 342 families within the European ward besides bearing the cost of construction of their homes.

“However that land (near RP Chest Hospital) is not under the European Ward. Therefore, we will discuss because as per the resolution of our society, we demand land be given in the European Ward,” Singh had said.

When asked, Tynsong however said, “The question of European ward or the question of Khasi ward or the question of Meghalaya ward I think does not arise.”

He said that once the blueprint is ready, a meeting with the HPC will be convened again to sit down and discuss the issue across the table. “I am sure the solution will always be there,” he added.

With regards to the existing official quarters of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), Tynsong said the SMB office are undertaking the repairing works of these units and once that is done, it will be the board’s prerogative to shift their employees, who are residing at Sweepers’ Colony, to the designated quarters.

Meanwhile, Tynsong maintained that relocation has to take place as there are no other options to that.

“We are waiting for the blueprint and once the blueprint is on the table I will call the meeting of the HPC and we will sit down across the table and we will tell them these are the blueprint,” he reiterated.