By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Mining and Geology, Bindo Mathew Lanong, found himself in a state of bother, after UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh ‘cornered’ him on the issue pertaining to cement plants in Jaintia Hills.
The UDP legislator, while referring to media reports, wanted to know whether the High Level Committee (HLC) headed by the Principal Secretary of Mining and Geology in its finding has mentioned that the cement plants are operating in forest areas.
Replying that he was not aware if the HLC had made any such observation in its findings, Lanong said, “I would have to first verify if there is any authenticity in the media report.”
Reacting sharply to Lanong’s reply, Lyngdoh quipped that the newspapers are more privy to the information inside the Government as compared to the Deputy Chief Minister.
The UDP legislator also recalled that Lanong had, on an earlier occasion, stated that ‘pending approval under Forest Conservation Act, 1980, all cement plants and mining companies in Jaintia Hills may be asked to stop any clearing of natural vegetation’.
“This reply gives an indication that cement plants are operating inside the forest areas,” Lyngdoh pointed out.
However, the volley of questions was cut short as the time allotted for the Question Hour had drawn to a close, prompting a much-relieved Lanong to turn back towards Lyngdoh with a sigh of relief.
