Cabinet Minister Shri Sanbor Shullai raised serious concerns at the exorbitant increase in land rent within Shillong Cantonment Area and questions violation of right to equality when compared to adjacent municipal area. Shullai stated that there cannot be two different tax structures for cantonment and municipal area. Shri Sanbor Shullai led a delegation of BJP leaders during his recent visit to New Delhi. He met Union Minister of State for Defence Shri Sanjay Seth and Smti Shoba Gupta Director General of Defence Estate in which Shullai submitted a representation with regards to the abnormal rise in tax in Cantonment Area that came after the implementation of the interim policy.
Shullai in his written submission requested the ministry to ammend the interim policy and implement 25% of the calculated STR for the existing lessee. Shullai stated that due to exorbitant increase in rent the matter is pending in Supreme Court and various high courts throughout the country. Shullai stated that the govt should frame a comprehensive policy such that rent is at par with the adjoining municipal area.The delegation during its meeting with the director requested for speedy implementation of building bye laws and also to expedite the sanctioning of a reservoir with a capacity of 6 lakh litre to fulfill the requirement of shillong cantonment area.
Shullai also invited the Minister of State to lay the foundation stone for various upcoming projects which will be first of its kind in the history of the cantonment area. Shullai stated that the union defence minister of state is likely to visit Shillong in the month of February. Shullai also hinted that the BJP delegation is likely to meet the Prime Minister for speedy implementation of policies since cabinet approval is mandatory, as discussed with defence authorities.