New cement plant in EJH: MSPCB to go ahead with public hearing despite outrage

SHILLONG, Dec 12: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) will go ahead with the scheduled public hearing on the proposed Shree Cement Integrated Cement Plant at Daistong in East Jaintia Hills despite opposition from villagers and the Jaintia National Council (JNC).
On Wednesday, members of the JNC and residents of nearby villages had staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Khliehriat, alleging that tribal land earmarked for the project was illegally transferred to a non-tribal individual in violation of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act, 1972.
The organisation claimed that land was transferred to one Bharat Sharma, reportedly representing Shree Cement Limited, without proper authorisation.
MSPCB Member Secretary Dr GH Chyrmang confirmed that the public hearing will be held as planned on December 19. He emphasised that the Board is mandated to conduct hearings in accordance with the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) 2006 guidelines once the Terms of Reference (ToR) are issued.
“Public hearings are carried out strictly as per EIA norms. We have no role in the public’s opposition. Our responsibility is to organise the hearing  in coordination with the district authorities,” Dr Chyrmang said.
He said the MSPCB can suspend the ToR or halt the hearing only if directed by the court.
Responding to the demand for the cancellation of the hearing, he said, “I have nothing to say on the local residents’ demand. The MSPCB’s role is only to ensure compliance with EIA requirements. We will move forward with the public hearing.”
The JNC, meanwhile, accused the state government of ignoring its December 4 petition to the Revenue Department to immediately halt the process.
JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said the organisation found alleged irregularities after scrutinising documents submitted by the company.
“The purchase violates the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act. We lodged complaints with the Deputy Commissioner and the Revenue Department, but the government has remained silent,” he lamented.
Stating that the proposed site includes agricultural land, he warned that the project could damage farmlands and threaten livelihoods.
The JNC reiterated its commitment to opposing any breach of tribal land protection laws. It has submitted multiple letters and a formal complaint, demanding that the public hearing be deferred until the legality of the land transfer is fully verified.
The complaint cites Section 2 of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971, which prohibits the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals without written permission from the Deputy Commissioner.
The JNC urged the Commissioner & Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management Department to investigate the matter, verify approvals, and nullify the transaction if it is found to be illegal. It further called for greater transparency and protection of indigenous land rights.