Cement plants get govt nod to import coal

JOWAI: The state government has issued an order permitting coal-laden trucks to ply from Assam to cement plants in East Jaintia Hills district.
An order issued by the department of Commerce and Industries on April 27 said only 30 trucks will be allowed to transport coal from Assam to Star Cements and Meghalaya Cements per day. However, in a special consideration, the department allowed 30 trucks of coal to be transported to Dalmia Cements (Bharat) Ltd. each day.
The order was issued after the cement companies petitioned the state government to allow them to transport coal from Assam to their respective plants in East Jaintia Hills.
Citizen concern
Following the order, a youth from Jaintia Hills expressed concern over the same saying that it will put citizens of the state at risk since Assam is one of the COVID-19 hotspots in the North East.
The youth, Fendry Khonglah, asked the state government to reconsider its order and disallow trucks carrying non-essential commodities from entering the state.