In a decisive move to regulate fishing competitions and similar events, Deputy Commissioner Hema Nayak of South West Garo Hills has introduced stringent guidelines aimed at ensuring compliance with legal and safety standards. The new order requires event organizers to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Taxation department before seeking permission from the District Administration.
This initiative comes in response to increasing reports of unauthorized fishing competitions and events being conducted without the necessary clearances. Such activities not only fall under the purview of Goods and Services Tax (GST) but also raise concerns regarding public safety and potential loss of government revenue.
According to the new regulations, any event organized without the proper permissions will be considered illegal. The Deputy Commissioner’s office will withhold permits unless applicants provide the requisite NOC from the Taxation department.
Organizers are now required to submit a detailed set of documents alongside their applications. These documents must include clearances from several key authorities, such as the Superintendent of Police, the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (Roads), and local authorities, including Nokmas, Gaonbura, or Sordars.
For fishing competitions specifically, additional conditions apply. If an event is set to take place in a private pond, organizers must obtain permission from the pond owner. For community fish ponds or lakes, approval from the relevant authority is mandatory. In the case of public river events, NOCs must be secured from both the local Nokma or Gaonbura and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
These measures aim to ensure that all events are conducted legally and safely, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to maintaining order and protecting public interests in South West Garo Hills.