Cement plant gains support for limestone mining in EJH

JOWAI: Star Cement in Lumshnong, East Jaintia Hills is gaining support from various organisations for limestone mining from its 42 hectare area of land situated at Brishyrnot village under Narpuh Elaka, East Jaintia Hills.
The member secretary of Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has so far received  nineteen letters from various organisations showing their support to the cement company for its proposed limestone mining.
The public hearing will be held on October 19 at Brishyrnot village and MSPCB has given a public notice to the people to garner their views and opinions.
The North East India Environment Association, Jaintia Hills Branch in its letter to the member secretary, MSPCB stated that the cement plant is benefiting the people of Khasi-Jaintia Hills particularly the local people be it in terms of employment or development in the surrounding village particularly Lumshnong village.
“We support Star Cement in the public hearing and hope that the Ministry of Forest and Environment will permit the cement plant to operate its lime stone mining”, said the secretary of the environment group, W. Thubru.
The Land and Forest owner Association, East Jaintia Hills who also supported the lime stone mining suggested that more job opportunities should be provided to the local unemployed youths and also to strictly follow the agreement with the Dorbar Shnong and also the Industrial Policy Act 1997.
The Labour’s Union, Jaintia Hills while supporting the cement plant suggested that 60 percent job opportunities should be provided to Khasis and Jaintias and 40 percent to non-Khasis, Jaintias. Besides the Government should strictly check the  air and water pollution in the area.
Former MDC who is an official member of the JHADC Forest and Environment Committee, C. Lyngdoh is also in favour of the cement plant.
Organisations including the Youth and Unemployment Organisation, West Jaintia Hills, Jowai Citizenship Association, Poor People Conference Organisation, Jaintia Hills, Khasi Jaintia Farmers Association, Umphyrnai, East Khasi Hills, Dorbar Shnong Bamkamar, WJH, Thadlaskein Sub area Marketing Society, Phra Shnong Association (Mukhla, Ummulong, Wahiajer, Moodymmai, Muskut Mookyndur FMC besides others are in support of the lime stone mining.