SHILLONG: The voices of dissent over the public hearing on the proposed limestone and shale mining project have resurfaced with the Khasi Jaintia National Union (KJNU) central body vehemently opposing the hearing slated for November 21 at the office of the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills. The project is supposed to be carried out by the cement company, M/s Star Cement.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the KJNU central body president, Niman N Shadap, said, “This is in violation of the government protocol. The DC should change the venue of the public hearing to Brishymot village where the proposed mining site is located or cancel the public hearing within 10 days”.
He also said that the public hearing could not be convened as there was opposition from the public on two occasions.
The KJNU has also written to the DC of East Jaintia Hills and the Member Secretary of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) on the upcoming public hearing.
In the letter, Shadap pointed out that the public hearing for the proposed limestone and shale mining project to be undertaken over 42.051 hectares of land in Brichyrnot village, East Jaintia Hills, was scheduled for October 19 last year by the DC, but was subsequently postponed.
He further mentioned in the letter that the hearing was rescheduled for January 30, 2020, but again called off by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills District.
In the letter, the organisation has expressed stern opposition to the proposed project as well as the public hearing.
