By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 17: Alarmed at the apprehensions about the state government contemplating to close down the new process plant of the Meghalaya Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL), local MDC of Sohra Titosstarwell Chyne has crowd foul over any such intention while raising concern on behalf of the locals.
It may be mentioned that the management of the MCCL had recently dismantled the chimney of the old wet process plant.
This plant has ceased all operations after the dry process plant started commercial production in 2016.
The government-owned factory, established in the 1960s, ceased its operations a few years back, marking the end of an era that sustained both direct and indirect employment for a significant population in Sohra.
“We know that the government has scrapped the old plant. There is a feeling of grief among many of the residents of Sohra area. What is going to happen if the government decides to totally shut down the MCCL,” Chyne, who is also the former Chief Executive Member of the KHADC, said.
Acknowledging the troubles of the state government insofar as revamp of the MCCL is concerned, Chyne noted that the investment to revive the plant is huge and there are hefty outstanding dues against loan which the government must clear.
Recalling that the government has even explored a joint venture to bail out the MCCL, the local MDC said that he received information that the private firms, which were keen to invest in the cement plant, later backed out.
“It is going to be very difficult since the issue has remained unresolved for so long. If it was in 2018, it would have been different,” Chyne said.
He however asked the state government to come clean about the future of the employees who are staring at an uncertain fate. “There are many employees who have met me since they are not sure about their future. They still have more than 10 years and even 20 years of their service,” the former KHADC CEM said.
According to the Sohra MDC, the people are questioning as to what steps will be taken to find an alternative livelihood for the families living in Sohra.
“Tourism alone cannot feed the whole population of Sohra area. People need an alternative livelihood,” Chyne said.
He also suggested a consultation between the different stakeholders like the Hima Sohra and the aggrieved employees.
It may be recalled that the Mawmluh Cherra Cements Employees Union (MCCEU) had appealed to the state government to full their three-point charter of demands.
The association had, earlier this year, submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, reminding the government about the pending demands made since 2018.
Their demands include payment of regular salary to employees besides the arrears, implementation of the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) or the ‘golden handshake’ scheme and the appeal for making the plant operational at the earliest.
But the state government is yet to respond to their demands.