A public hearing to carry out limestone mining over an area of 25 hectare of land in Daba Saithad (Wahlareng) village in Lumshnong area was successfully conducted today with no opposition to the project.
Public hearings in East Jaiñtia over expansion of cement plants or limestone mining have always been marred with opposition on many occasions as people fear pollution and environment degradation.
However this time, the public hearing conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board for the Star Cement was supported by all attendees.
The proposed production capacity of limestone is at 2.51 million tonnes per annum and 0.322 million tonnes per annum of waste and overburden including topsoil.
The proposed mining operations will be carried out by fully mechanised open cast method in a land leased out by the Presbyterian Church of Lumshnong for 50 years.
A presentation about the project was made by consultant of the project, Santosh Pant and 14 individuals that included representatives of the dorbar shnongs spoke at the public hearing
Waheh shnong of Lumshnong Monlang Ladong said the dorbar has no objections to the proposed project but the company should follow the environmental protection measures.
Chairman of the Presbyterian Church Lumshnong Grimlang Dkhar, Doloi of Narpuh Elaka Manbha Kyndoh, waheh shnong of Umsaiñ R.Suchiang and others spoke in support of the project.
The meeting was conducted by the ADC of the district, G Warjri, as the chairman in the presence of the Member Secretary of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Dr. GH Chyrmang, Environmental Engineers including S. Syiem and Frankie Laloo wherein about 150 residents attended.
Through the proposed mining project, the cement company promises economic development by providing employment to locals and to improve the standards of living of the people by holding health check-up camps, awareness programs about rural development, education, personal health care and skill development campaigns.
About Rs 20 crore of royalty, Rs 2 crore of District Mineral Fund, Rs 40 lakh of National Mineral Exploration Trust, and Rs 15 crore of cess will be paid to the State government.
