Shillong, Dec 9: The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) has questioned “incidental” extraction of limestone granted by the State to seven cement companies in Jaintia Hills.
According to the organisation, the government approved 3.28 crore metric ton of incidental limestone to the cement companies which is violation of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
The approvals were granted to Meghalaya Cement, Green Valley Industries, Star Cement, Goldstone, Hills Cement, Amrit and Jaintia Cement companies between March 29, 2016 and October 30, 2024, it said.
HITO General Secretary Wanbun Lyngdoh said the State lost hundreds of crores because companies avoid procedural taxes and royalties through these approvals.
He said as per Section 20A of the MMDR Act the Central government, not the state, must approve directives concerning mineral resource conservation or national policy.
HITO demanded transparency from the Mining and Geology Department and said if it fails to clarify the organisation would file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Meghalaya High Court.
