SHILLONG: The state government has issued as many as 69 permissions for opening of stone quarries.
Replying to a query from Congress MLA Dikkanchi Shira during the second day of the budget session on Monday, Forest and Environment Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said 10 permissions were issued for stone quarries in West Garo Hills, 21 in East Khasi Hills, 21 in Ri Bhoi, one in East Garo Hills, 13 in West Jaintia Hills and three in East Jaintia Hills.
Earlier, he informed that around 260 applications have been received for issuance of environmental clearance for operation of stone quarries in the state since the notification of the Mines and Mineral Concession Rules, 2017, out of which around 100 applications have been cleared.
