Shillong, Sept. 11: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has taken a decision to reduce the period for renewing labour licences from one year to 179 days.

“The renewal period for labour licences has been intentionally reduced to 179 days to prevent migrant workers from using the licence as an authenticated document to enrol themselves in the electoral rolls,” council chief executive member (CEM) Pynshngain N. Syiem said today after a meeting of the executive committee.

According to the law, any person who resides in the state for more than six months becomes a permanent resident of the state. Being a permanent resident he can enrol himself in the electoral rolls, he added.

In a bid to tackle influx, Syiem said dorbar shnongs (village councils) within the jurisdiction of the council would be directed to register the residents in their respective villages and localities.

The dorbar shnongs will be required to maintain a database of the names of the houseowners, tenants and migrant workers within their respective jurisdiction.

The headman and his executive committee have been barred from issuing any kind of certificates to doubtful people without the consent of the dorbar shnong, Syiem said.