Shillong, Aug 3: Jaintia National Council has opposed the proposed public hearing’ of M/s Meghalaya Cement Ltd. and M/s Green Valley Industries Ltd. which is scheduled on August 24 and 25.
The JNC met Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills Abhilash Baranwal and submitted a memorandum on Thursday to stop the public hearing.
The two companies, M/s Meghalaya Cements Ltd and M/s Green Valley Industries Ltd based in East Jaintia Hills District have officially been cleared by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority.
The reasons cited by JNC
1. Cement companies in the district have not fulfilled the requirements of the local people and the district pertaining to the employment of the local educated unemployed youth. Presently, only a few numbers of local residents are being employed in the cement companies but the numbers are very less to mention. It is necessary to bring to notice that all the higher rank posts/jobs in the cement companies are occupied by the people from outside the state.
“It will not only take away the rights and livelihood of the residents but also increases influx, said the JNC Publicity Cell Incharge Mebanteilang Sukhlain.
JNC is of the view that there are no job reservation policies in private cement companies in Meghalaya .
As far as development in these areas is concerned, these companies have contributed very less towards the development in these areas despite repeated requests through their Business Model i.c.. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
2. That it has come to light that the contractors and suppliers are also finding it difficult to clear the weekly payments of the labourers and bills pertaining to purchase of construction and production materials on time. This has affected not only the contractors and suppliers but especially the family of the labourers who directly or indirectly depends on them.
3. That the JNC is also of a view that the extension of clinkerisation by M/s Meghalaya Cements Ltd and operation of shale mining by M/s Green Valley Industries Ltd will affect the environment in and around the villages and its surrounding. These areas hold a number of endangered species of flora and fauna. Moreover, these villages are located adjacent to the eco-sensitive zone and Narpuh wildlife sanctuary, Sonapur, East Jaintia Hills District, so if any mining related activities or extension of such activities are allowed, it shall have direct impact on the biodiversity of the areas.
4. That the operation of these cement companies will directly or indirectly pollute the rivers due to random discharge of waste and other effluents to the river which affects the aquatic life. Even at present, the rivers in these areas are becoming shallow due to soil erosion caused by random mining activities.
