Functions and Power
The function of the Authority is to promote and secure proper planning and development of the towns through enforcement and implementation of the Master Plan.
While discharging its duties, the Authority has to carry out surveys of the area and to prepare reports of such surveys and to perform any other function which is supplemental, incidental and consequential to the above.
The Authority has also to prepare the Schemes in areas notified as scheme areas under section 15 of the Act. Scheme area can be any area within the Master Plan boundary and even virgin area can be notified as scheme area.
In other words, all action plans and project planning are to be the main function of the Authority. In regard to enforcement of Master Plan, land-use controls as envisaged in the Act, all powers vest with the Authority.
According to section 171 of the Meghalaya Municipal Act, 1973 (Assam Municipal Act, 1956 as adopted by Meghalaya), the power of giving sanction to erect materially, alter or re-erect any building vest in the Authority. This is to ensure that no construction takes place in violation of the provisions of the Master Plan.
All in all, the authority has to function as an umbrella body and is responsible mainly for co-ordination, sanction and monitoring of schemes.
