From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, Nov 28: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) Central Executive Committee (CEC) has petitioned East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Shivansh Awasthi against the Shree Cement Limited’s proposed Integrated Cement Plant at Daistong village.
In a memorandum, the JNC highlighted an alleged illegal land purchase by non-tribal individual Bharat Sharma from tribal landowner Syrpailang Sukhlain, as detailed in the company’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report dated November 19, 2025, which was submitted to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB). This transaction violates the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act, 1971, which prohibits such transfers without statutory permission from competent authorities and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council.
JNC CEC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said the EIA lacked essential documents, including approval from the Autonomous District Council, mutation records, or any permission under the 1971 Act, rendering the land deal void ab initio.
He cited breaches of the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion Facilitation Act, 2024, which explicitly does not override the 1971 Act, and the EIA Notification, 2006, and demanded the suspension of the MSPCB-scheduled public hearing next month until full verification.
The NGO criticised the MSPCB for alleged dereliction of duty in proceeding without scrutinising land ownership, potentially enabling corporate overreach at the expense of tribal rights under Article 371B of the Constitution.
Lyngdoh dismissed Shree Cement Limited’s employment promises as unreliable, citing local skill gaps in the largely agricultural region, the absence of any training plans, and the government’s failure to enforce mandatory local hiring policies. He said despite the JNC’s Save Jaintia Mission advocacy since 2024, the demand for implementing a new policy to create jobs for the locals remains unaddressed.
The JNC warned of civil unrest if the project advances without resolving these issues. Further, it warned that the government would be held accountable for any agitation stemming from procedural lapses.
The Deputy Commissioner assured the JNC CEC representatives that the matter would be taken up with higher authorities. The DC further assured to provide a copy of his response to the organization within a few days.
“We demand an immediate inquiry into the land chain of title, authenticity of documents, and directives to MSPCB and State Environment Impact Assessment Authority to halt the public hearing,” said Lyngdoh.
