Shillong, Sep 3: The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) today claimed that the proposal of the state government to pay salaries to the employees of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) is all part of an attempt to control land rights and allow cement companies in East Jaintia Hills to illegally profit.
This allegation came after HITO received replies through the Right to Information (RTI) Act on the acquisition of land and mineral resources, such as coal and limestone, by cement companies in the district from the office of the Director of Mineral Resources (DMR).
HITO president Donbok Dkhar said that it appears that the state government wants to bypass the powers of the ADCs so that they can do whatever they want.
Explaining about the cement companies in East Jaintia Hills, Wanbun N Dkhar, secretary of the pressure group, said that it is surprising that the state government has approved around 4.28 crore tonnes of limestone in the incidental category, to seven cement companies though this mineral is a major mineral.
Dkhar said that these cement companies comprise Meghalaya Cement Limited (TopCeM), Green Valley Industries, Star Cement, Goldstone, Hill Cement, Amrit Cement and Jaintia Cement.
Pointing out that these companies do not have mining leases, Dkhar added that the royalty accrued is almost Rs 343.30 crore at the rate of Rs 80 per tonne paid by these companies.
Dkhar also said that these companies have defaulted on taxes, including levies for environmental restoration of Rs 90 per tonne.
