Shillong, Feb 27: The opposition in the Meghalaya Assembly cornered Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma during Question Hour today during a series of queries related to stone quarry operations and the grant of consent to operate (CTO) permissions in Meghalaya.
Leader of the Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma pressed the government for clarity and transparency in the grant and renewal of CTO permissions for stone quarries, raising concerns over adherence to the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules 2016 and the possibility of manipulation or favouritism in the process.
Responding to a series of questions on the last day of the Budget Session, Conrad provided district-wise data on new and renewed CTOs issued by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) for 2024-25 and 2025-26.
According to the CM, eight new CTOs were granted in 2024-25 — West Khasi Hills (2), West Jaintia Hills (1), East Garo Hills (1), Eastern West Khasi Hills (1) and West Garo Hills (3). For 2025-26, 12 new permissions were issued — West Khasi Hills (3), Ri Bhoi (1), East Khasi Hills (1) and West Garo Hills (7).
As for renewals, 32 were granted in 2024-25 — East Khasi Hills (12), Ri Bhoi (5), West Garo Hills (13) and North Garo Hills (2). In 2025-26, renewals included East Khasi Hills (7), West Khasi Hills (3), Ri Bhoi (5), East Garo Hills (1), West Garo Hills (20) and North Garo Hills (1).
Ampati MLA Miani D Shira sought details on the total number of applications received from quarry operators who had already obtained consent to establish (CTE) and the stage-wise status of such applications. The CM, however, said that while the number of CTOs granted was available, the total number of applications received or pending at various stages was not immediately at hand and would require prior notice to compile. He assured the House that the information would be laid on the table.
Shira also raised the issue of staff shortage in the MSPCB. Sangma admitted that while the main office in Shillong is functional, the absence of regional offices creates inconvenience for applicants from Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills. He informed that offices in Tura and other locations are proposed and would be made functional at the earliest.
Several opposition MLAs flagged the high concentration of quarries in West Garo Hills. Conrad stated that, as of date, 59 stone quarries are operating legally in the district with valid licences and CTOs. However, Nongkrem MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit pointed out discrepancies between the total number cited and the figures for new and renewed CTOs in the past two years, which added up to 43. Sangma clarified that some quarries had been granted permissions prior to the referenced years.
In East Khasi Hills, 11 offences were reported in 2024-25 with four accused named, while 29 offences were recorded in 2025-26. The chief minister said 17 cases of illegal quarrying had been registered during the period under review and the quarries concerned were closed. He added that penal action had been taken as per the MMDR Act.
Ri-Bhoi currently has eight legally operating stone quarries, though members alleged widespread illegal operations in the district and in parts of Garo Hills, including Resubelpara and Chokpot. The CM maintained that illegal quarries identified had been shut down and penalised.
Intervening in the discussion, Dr Mukul underscored the importance of Rule 9 of the 2016 Rules, particularly Sub-rules 2 and 3, which mandate that incomplete applications for grant or renewal of mining leases should not be summarily rejected without giving applicants an opportunity to furnish missing documents within 30 days. He also cited Sub-rule 5, which provides for deemed extension of leases if renewal applications are not disposed of before expiry.
He stressed that strict adherence to these provisions was essential to prevent manipulation, nepotism or discrimination in processing applications. He further referred to Rule 11, which lays down priority in granting mining leases, with first preference to those using minor minerals for government construction and lower priority to exporters. He questioned whether the end-use conditions were being monitored to ensure local demand, particularly in Garo Hills where aggregate prices are reportedly significantly higher than in Khasi Hills.
In response, the CM repeatedly assured that all prescribed rules and procedures are being followed and that detailed information sought by members would be furnished.
The discussion also saw queries on rejected applications, inspection frequency and village-wise distribution of quarries, with the government promising to compile and provide the data to ensure greater transparency in the functioning of the MSPCB.
