From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: The Dorbar shnong (village councils) of Chiehruphi, Wahiajer-Narpuh and Thangskai village have alleged that a cement factory in Jaintia Hills is consuming large quantity of firewood for production of cement affecting firewood business by locals.
The three dorbar shnong under the banner Coordination Committee have expressed concern over the consumption of firewood instead of coal by Meghalaya Cement Limited popularly known as TopCem Cement.
“Local people now are into firewood business and many forests have been destroyed in order to meet the quantity demanded by the cement plant”, the Coordination Committee alleged.
‘‘Mostly all cement companies in the area are using coal in the factory but, we don’t understand why MCL is using firewood,’’ said one of the Rangbah Shnong Rangbah shnong, O Suting informed that members of the Coordination Committee earlier held a meeting with the cement officials where the Chief Executive Officer, GS Sudhi represented the company.
“In the meeting the Company agreed to stop the use of firewood ”, Suting said. “Cement plants have destroyed huge forest area and now they are depending on firewood for factory use,’’ he added. “If the Company uses coal it will cost them more but firewood is available only at Rs. 1200 per metric ton. The cost of coal per metric tone is over Rs. 4000”, the coordination committee said.The coordination demanded immediate stoppage of using firewood by the Company
