SHILLONG, Aug 14: Around 200 employees of Mawmuh Cherra Cement Ltd (MCCL) have received two instalments under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). Sohra MLA Gavin Miguel Mylliem told reporters that the employees and the government had agreed last year to settle the VRS in three installments.
It may be noted that MCCL is the oldest public sector undertaking in the state and the only state-owned cement plant, established in the early 1960s (when Meghalaya was part of undivided Assam) in limestone-rich Sohra. “One installment was given last year, and the second installment was released about two weeks ago,” the MLA said.
Mylliem also defended the decision to close down MCCL, which was once known for producing the best cement in the Northeast. “Lately, the corporation was incurring huge losses, accumulating debts to the tune of Rs 200 crore,” he said, adding that instead of contributing to the economy of Sohra, MCCL had been draining the state’s resources.
Admitting that many government corporations are no longer profitable in modern times, he said the government had no option but to implement the VRS.
Asked about the rehabilitation of 205 employees, Mylliem said they had put forward a few proposals, which would be sent to the authorities for feasibility assessment.
