Shillong, May 18: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Monday said the state government will examine the objections raised against the proposed public hearing for Shree Cement before taking any decision, following protests by the Jaintia Students Union (JSU) and Jaintia National Council (JNC). The two organisations staged a protest march demanding immediate cancellation of the hearing, alleging that the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is “illegal” and that the proposed project violates provisions of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act.
Speaking to reporters, Dhar said the government has received a petition from the groups and would review the matter carefully. “Today some NGO leaders and some people from the village itself met me and I told them that since the petition have been received by me I will examine the matter,” he said. “I cannot say we will stop it or we will continue it, we will examine it first,” the Deputy Chief Minister added.
Explaining the delay in arriving at a decision, Dhar said Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who also holds the Forest portfolio, is currently out of station. “That is the reason as CM is not in station. When he comes we will have a meeting as mainly they object about the environmental clearances,” Dhar said. “This falls under forest, I have to inform the chief minister since he is incharge of forest,” he added.
Referring to the concerns raised by protestors, Dhar said one of the issues relates to agricultural land, particularly paddy fields. “They have flagged this issue related to paddy field,” he said. “To set up cement plant, always may be from the company and the government’s departments must follow the process accordingly. We are yet to find out whether processes are being followed accordingly or not,” he added.
Dhar further said he has sought time to discuss the matter with the Chief Minister before any final decision is taken. “That is the reason why I requested them time so that I will discuss the issue with the chief minister accordingly,” he stated.
Responding to warnings by the protesting groups that the law-and-order situation could worsen if the hearing is not cancelled, Dhar said the government hopes the situation will remain peaceful. “We will see. It should not be in that line,” he said.
