By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 23: As an uncertain fate looms large for the North East’s first cement plant, the Mawmluh Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL), the government eyes to do “what is best for the MCCL” in the year 2024.
Revealing this, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Industries, Sniawbhalang Dhar said that the state government will take into confidence the stakeholders before taking any decision with regard to the cement plant.
He, however, stated that it may lead to permanent closure as told by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma recently.
Talking about the several issues ailing MCCL, Dhar said that the government will ponder in the upcoming year on what can be done with the public sector unit.
Dhar, on the other hand, also explained that the decision to dismantle the chimney of the plant was taken since it was old and there were fears that it could collapse anytime.
He also revealed that on request of the local MLA, Gavin Miguel Mylliem, and the local community of Sohra, the government has agreed to discuss what is to be done with it.
“We will decide whether to go for joint venture or auction. But we will do what is the best for MCCL and go with it,” Dhar said.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had recently stated that the state government is amicably settling the matter with the stakeholders and employees and they have more or less come to a conclusion of going for voluntary retirement scheme.
According to him, the state government requires huge investment for moving forward with the cement factory aalbeit more than Rs 300 crore has been invested in the project in the last 15 years.
“We have tried our best to revive the MCCL but in the given circumstances, the public and employees are suffering and decisiveness has to be there and we have decided that we will be closing it with proper consultations with the stakeholders for terms and conditions,” Sangma had said.