By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Various NGOs under the banner of Social Organisations of Meghalaya Against Land Alienation (SOMALA) has asked the state government to take prompt action in the matter of public hearing on the proposal of the Cement Manufacturing Company Ltd (CMCL) to acquire more land for mining of limsteone in Lumshnong area in Jaintia Hills.
“The question arises whether the public hearing proposed above by the Meghalaya State Pollution Board will have any bearing at all as sec 4 (i) of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Ac 1971 have not provided for any public hearing before the process of land acquisition”, SOMALA convener W Anthony said in a statement issued here on Wednesday.
The union further stated that the public hearing will be in contravention of the government notification No RDS 45/2011/2 issued on March 30, 2011 restricting alienation of tribal land in the state of Meghalaya.
“We expect the government to take prompt and appropriate action in the matter of the public hearing so that the people are not misguided”, Anthony added.
