Pala pitches for uniform limestone price

NEW DELHI: Shillong MP Vincent H Pala has said the state’s practice to charge different rates for limestone supplied to cement factories and brick kilns is leading to revenue loss for the government.
Pala recently met Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and pointed out that kilns pay half the rate for the same limestone that is sold at double the price to cement factories.
“The cement factories are getting the minerals from the kilns and other sources instead of directly purchasing the same (from the government),” Pala said, adding that it is resulting in huge losses to the state exchequer and the benefits are not passed on to the common people.
“At present, there is no provision in the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016, for payment
of royalty by lessees with regard to limestone supplies to industries other than lime kiln. But such a provision is there in other states. It is important that a suitable provision in the Meghalaya Mining Rules is made so that state government’s revenue is appropriately augmented. This will improve the economic life of the people in our state, with added revenue from the same resources,” he added. The chief minister assured him that he would look into the details and take appropriate steps.