Shillong, Oct 16: A day before the Joint Action Committee hits the streets against the Laban ropeway, the Tourism Department has come out in full defence, insisting every permission is in place and there is no secrecy in the project.
Tourism Director B L Pakyntein on Friday said the department met the JAC on Thursday in a meeting chaired by Commissioner and Secretary R M Kurbah to put all facts on the table. The Commissioner and Secretary along with the environmental specialist made a detailed presentation on the measures taken and the clearances secured for what the department calls an iconic project for the state.
Pakyntein said the department had obtained a No Objection Certificate from the Dorbar Shnong and entered into a lease agreement before moving ahead, and letters were sent to all seven Rangbah Shnongs to mobilise residents for the public hearing through the traditional village authorities as per established practice. The tender was floated only after the NOC, with the selected contractor mandated to obtain all requisite licences including the trading licence from the KHADC.
