SHILLONG: “There is a move on the part of cement companies operating in Jaintia Hills to purchase land in East Khasi Hills to carry out compensatory afforestation,” Opposition UDP revealed on Thursday.
Addressing a news conference, UDP leader AF Dkhar, while opposing further alienation of land by the cement companies, said that the intention on the part of the companies to purchase more land in the name of afforestation, is against land transfer act
“The Government can lease out the land and let the companies afforest the land”, Dkhar said.
According to Dkhar, the companies have approached for plantation of trees in East Khasi Hills and this should not be allowed.
Quoting the state mining policy related to rat hole mining, Dkhar said the cement companies should have been asked to engage in reclamation or restoration of land in Jaintia Hills.
While citing the case of Lafarge which deposited money with the Government for afforestation, Dkhar said that the best option for the cement companies is to pay the fine for the use of forest land.
Dkhar reiterated that the Government should not resort to land alienation.
