SHILLONG: Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) has stated that it is ready to pay the land compensation to those land owners who are willing to take the same at the rate fixed by the government.
This statement from MeECL comes in the wake of threats from Khasi Students’ Union North Khasi Hills to shut down the New Umtru Hydro Electric Project of MeECL.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma inaugurated the New Umtru Hydro Electric Project of MeECL on January 4 despite stiff opposition by the landowners.
Sangma along with the MeECL management had held another meeting with the representatives of the aggrieved land owners at New Umtru Power Station in which he assured that grievances will be examined by the management and consider their grievances as per provision of rules and regulations.
The Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the MeECL stated that the land compensation along with crops and trees compensation was already paid to l6 land owners out of 43 land owners at Dehal, Byrnihat at the approved rate fixed by the state government.
On the other hand, the MeECL will initiate steps to solve the grievances of those land owners who refused to accept the land compensation at the approved government rate fixed by the state government.
In this connection, the management of MeECL also held a meeting with their representatives on December 29. Accordingly, the MeECL will initiate steps to solve their grievances depending on receipt of the joint petition of the concerned land owners relating to the rate of compensation.
The PRO added that for other demands, the management will examine and try to resolve the issue as legally admissible.