SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Monday put to rest all speculations by saying there was no plan to privatise Mawmluh Cherra Cements Limited (MCCL) that has been through severe financial crisis in recent years.
Replying to a motion on the functioning of the MCCL plant at Sohra during the autumn session of the Assembly, Sangma said the government so far has not taken any call on the privatisation of MCCL.
Stating that the modernisation plan for MCCL was conceptualised in 2005, the chief minister said all governments, including the successive ones, supported by regional parties were equally responsible for failing to revive the bleeding public sector company.
Sangma said the public sector unit did not get sufficient fund for its revival. He informed that it was UCO Bank that had sanctioned around Rs 50 crore for the modernisation of the plant. In addition, 40 percent of financial support was given by the State Government. The initial cost of the project was Rs 85 crore, but over the years, the project cost has doubled.
He rued that MCCL was provided only Rs 5 crore in 2007 and Rs10 crore in 2008-09, thus ultimately delaying the entire project.
Sangma also said that the new plant is awaiting clearance from the Central Pollution Control Board and he has given necessary directions to expedite the process.
Earlier, UDP MLA (Sohra) T Chyne said that the Government should take measures to make the new plant fully functional at the earliest.
Daddengre MLA James Sangma (NPP) said that the Government should not privatise MCCL.
HSPDP MLA (Nongrkem) Ardent Basaiawmoit added that the MCCL has been the pride of the people of the State for its product quality but mismanagement by those in charge and insensitivity on the part of the government had led to the downfall of the company.
