Shillong, September 14: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) Central Executive Committee on Monday submitted representations to the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), seeking strict compliance with regulatory procedures concerning the ongoing Shree Cement project at Lum Syrman.
The JNC urged the authorities to maintain the status quo imposed by the State Government and wait for the findings of the fact-finding committee constituted to examine issues surrounding the project before taking any further action.
Addressing a press briefing, JNC CEC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said the government must act transparently and responsibly in overseeing the activities of Shree Cement and ensure that the existing status quo is strictly maintained.
The Council also met SEIAA Chairman Annamalai, who, according to the JNC, informed the delegation that the authority had neither processed nor taken any action following the announcement of the status quo. He reportedly stated that the department would not proceed with the issuance of Environmental Clearance while the status quo remained in force and that no final decision could be taken until the Environmental Clearance process was completed.
However, the JNC expressed concern over what it described as a discrepancy in the government’s position. The Council said that on the same day, it met the Joint Secretary of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, who reportedly informed them that the status quo applied only to ground work and not to paperwork. The JNC said the statement attributed to the SEIAA Chairman appeared to indicate that even paperwork would not proceed while the status quo remained in force.
In view of the differing positions, the Council called upon the State Government to issue clear directives to all concerned authorities and provide an official clarification to the Hynñiewtrep community, particularly people in East Jaiñtia Hills district.
The JNC further urged the government to issue a formal notification clearly defining the scope of the status quo to ensure strict adherence to regulatory norms and prevent any violation of the existing order.
