Shillong, Feb 14: Shillong VPP Ricky AJ Syngkon has urged Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav to cancel environmental clearance proceedings for Shree Cement Ltd’s proposed plant in Daistong village, East Jaintia Hills.
The MP cited the alleged public-hearing lapses, cumulative pollution risk, and tribal-land safeguards.
In a letter, Syngkon wanted immediate suspension of work pending independent review of the public hearing under the 2006 EIA Notification, a cumulative impact check in an already stressed industrial belt, and verification of compliance with the Sixth Schedule and the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971.
“The public hearing is a statutory requirement designed to ensure participatory environmental governance. Any credible allegation of procedural compromise warrants independent scrutiny before further administrative progression,” he said, flagging representations that villagers were obstructed and intimidated.
Daistong residents, who have petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleged that their village council issued a no-objection certificate and signed an agreement with the company without local knowledge. They warn that the site sits near the Laitprah–Labit cave systems and a recently discovered blind cave fish.
Syngkon, noting the project’s scale — a 0.95 mtpa clinker unit, 0.99 mtpa cement unit, plus captive power and waste-heat facilities over ∼25 hectares — said proceedings without clarity “risks constitutional complications and public unrest.
He added that, as a constituency MP, concerns are brushed aside, he would pursue “appropriate parliamentary and institutional remedies,” hoping escalation proves unnecessary.
“Should the matter proceed without satisfactory review, I am constrained to pursue appropriate parliamentary and institutional remedies available under law. It is my earnest hope that such escalation will not become necessary. I trust the Ministry will treat this matter with urgency and seriousness in keeping with constitutional obligations and environmental stewardship,” Syngkon said.
He urged the ministry to ensure that no final clearance decision is taken until such review is completed and findings are placed on record.
“Given the scale, sensitivity, and constitutional dimensions of this matter, a precautionary suspension would be consistent with principles of good governance and environmental prudence,” the MP said.
