Threatens to file PIL
SHILLONG: An organisation which calls itself the Hynniewtrep Student’s Union (HSU) has accused three former CEMs of the JHADC of granting no objection certificates (NOC) for setting up of as many as nine cement plants in East Jaintia Hills without signing any agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The HSU has decided to file a PIL in the Meghalaya High Court in this regard.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, HSU president Kyrshan Rymbui said, “RTI findings have revealed that the NOCs have been issued without any signing of agreement or MoU with the cement factories. The reply to the RTI affirmed that the cement companies have followed the guidelines of the NOC, however, no documents were provided to substantiate their reply.”
The nine cement factories in question are Green Valley Cement and Star Cement whose NOCs were granted by late Qually Suiam, ex-CEM of JHADC; JUD Cement, Topcem cement, Hills Cement whose NOCs were granted by Moonlight Pariat, and Cosmos Cement, Amrit Cement, Goldstone Cement and Adhunik cement, which got their NOCs from former CEM Hambertus Nongtdu.
The union alleged that the cement factories are not following the NOC guidelines leading to damage to the environment. “Rivers are getting polluted, the air quality is deteriorating,” he said adding that the JHADC should make NOCs null and void till the time an agreement is signed.
The union alleged that the ex-CEMs failed to consult the Executive Committee of the JHADC before granting the NOCs.
Rymbui asserted that a committee should be constituted by the JHADC to review the NOCs.