Due to apparent inaction by the competent authorities, rampant and unauthorized stone crushing units and quarries at Rani, Ri-Bhoi, are still operating in broad daylight.
These operations, running without the approval of the state government, will cause a huge loss to the exchequer.
Rani is situated along the interstate border between Meghalaya and Assam and most of the stone-related business establishments are operated by businessmen from Assam.
Based on a spot visit, it was witnessed that stone crushers and stone quarries at Rani are still operating. The state government has imposed a fine of Rs 153 crore on illegal stone quarries, crushers and mining units across the state, many of which are in Ri-Bhoi.
In the first week of August 2021, the National Green Tribunal’s eastern zone asked the Meghalaya government to file an affidavit against illegal stone crushers and stone quarries so that environmental compensation could be recovered from 133 stone quarries units operating illegally in the state.
