JNC wants Meghatop public hearing to be called off

Shillong, Sep 19: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) wants the public hearing of M/s Meghatop Cement Private Limited on October 18 because the company has not received a no-objection certificate from the Dorbar or the Doloi of Elaka Narpuh, where it is setting up its plant.

In a memorandum to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board member secretary, JNC requested the cancellation of the public hearing at Wahiajer Narpuh in East Jaintia Hills.

JNC said the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) cleared the company to set up a 3 million-ton plant with a 50 MW captive power plant on July 3 last year without following due process.

“This is shocking that the JHADC gave the clearance without the NOC,” said JNC general secretary Wanshwa Suting.

Referring to a statement of advocate and social activist Kynjaimon Amse, who recently died in a car crash, JNC said the provisional NOC issued by the Doloi of Elaka Narpuh on November 3, 2022 “is not an actual NOC but a word of assurance that read ‘This is to certify that the No Objection Certificate for setting up of cement plant by Meghatop Cement Private Limited at Narpuh Village is under consideration by the Dorbar of Elaka Narpuh”.

“It is more surprising that on September 14, the General Secretary of Elaka Narpuh Sumer officially released a notification… announcing discussion on the NOC on September 23,” Suting said in a media statement.

Alleging that JHADC has mala fide intention, JNC emphasised that the public hearing be cancelled till proper procedure is complete.