Meghalaya Tourism Department says the Laban Ropeway has a Dorbar Shnong clearance, and the contractor needs a KHADC trading licence

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Meghalaya Tourism Department says the Laban Ropeway has a Dorbar Shnong clearance, and the contractor needs a KHADC trading licence

16 October 2026

The Tourism Department of Meghalaya has addressed concerns raised over the Laban Ropeway project at a meeting chaired by Commissioner and Secretary R M Kurbah. The department said it obtained a No Objection Certificate from the Dorbar Shnong and signed a lease agreement before starting the project, and that the tender process began only after the certificate was obtained. It said it wrote to all seven Rangbah Shnongs asking them to mobilise residents to take part in the public hearing. The selected contractor must secure the necessary licences, including a trading licence from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council. The briefing was given by Pakyntein, and the project's environmental specialist presented alongside the Commissioner.

Village authorities written to: seven Rangbah Shnongs Clearance obtained: No Objection Certificate from the Dorbar Shnong Licence the contractor needs: trading licence from KHADC

Why it matters for exams: It shows the Sixth Schedule machinery at work: a village Dorbar Shnong issues the no objection certificate and the autonomous district council issues the trading licence.

Kerala PSCUPSC

16 October 2026 Source: Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Meghalaya

In plain words

Dorbar Shnong Dorbar Shnong — The traditional village council of a Khasi locality, which governs local land and permissions.

KHADC Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council — The elected council for the Khasi Hills set up under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Rangbah Shnong Rangbah Shnong — The headman of a Khasi village or locality, who presides over its Dorbar.