With frequent earthquakes rocking the Northeast, including Meghalaya, the Urban Affairs Department has reconstituted a technical committee to review and grant permission for construction of buildings and structures according to Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) bylaws. The technical committee has also been authorised to dismantle all structures that do not conform to these bylaws. In a meeting chaired by Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh, it was decided that the technical committee should have technocrats as well as officials from the PWD and Deputy Commissioner’s office. Lyngdoh said buildings will be inspected by the Home Guards Department to ensure safety norms are in place.