No trade and labour licenses to outsiders: Council of Khasis

The Autonomous Council of Khasis in Meghalaya today said it will stop issuance of fresh trading and labour licenses to outsiders to protect local interests in trade and labour and to address influx and unemployment issues in the state.
"We have decided to stop issuing of fresh trading license as part of streamlining the system in our efforts to prevent and protect the indigenous people, their rights and interest," Latiplang Kharkongor, an executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in charge of trade told reporters.
"The new executive committee will not issue trading licenses in those trades where indigenous educated unemployed youths are capable of taking up the trades," he said.

According to Kharkongor, rampant issuance of trading licenses to people from outside the state was one of the major factors contributing to influx.
"This has also deprived the local educated unemployed youth from job opportunities and affected their livelihood," he said.
In tightening the noose against outsiders, Kharkongor said the Council would also cancel those licenses which have been issued earlier in those trades in which the indigenous people are engaged successfully.
The Council is seeking reports from each of the four districts under its jurisdiction on the number of trading licenses issued till date, he said, adding renewal of such licenses would be made only after approval of the village councils (dorbar).