By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 26: Sohra MDC, Titosstarwell Chyne said the state government would face several hurdles if wants to revive the Mawmluh Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL) since the mining agreement with the cement plant has been scrapped.
“What is more disappointing is that there were no efforts to rescue the MCCL at an appropriate time,” he said.
Chyne, a former chief executive member of the KHADC, said he is not aware if the government is still planning to revive the MCCL by way of a joint venture or privatisation, which was proposed in 2018.
He appealed to the state government not to abandon the MCCL revival plan as the cement plant was started when Meghalaya was a part of Assam.
“It (the state of the plant) pains me as I owe everything, including my education, to the MCCL. I still recall the days when the cement plant was doing very well and the whole of the Sohra was benefitting,” he said.
Chyne said it is wrong to say none of the leaders from the area are raising the MCCL issue. “I have always raised this issue,” he claimed.
Earlier, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the government was not able to revive the MCCL despite having invested more than Rs 350 crore in it.
He said during the last five years, Rs 100 crore was also infused to take care of the salaries and dues of the MCCL.
Stating that the government cannot continue investing in the MCCL, Sangma said in the interest of the employees and the state’s finances, the government is exploring the option of a joint venture to run the company.
“We are yet to take a decision on the matter,” he said.
Sangma said a joint venture is one of the three options the government is examining. The other two options are to continue to invest in the company or close it down.
“These are only two ways out. We are trying to come up with the best solution so that the government is not put under too much financial stress,” he said.