A letter purportedly sent by Meghalaya Cement Limited which is the manufacturer of Topcem cement brand, has shown that the company donated Rs 50 lakh to the NPP in November 2023.
Photo of the letter, which went viral in the social media, stated that the company made a “voluntary political contribution” to the NPP through a cheque drawn on State Bank of India, Guwahati Branch.
As per the letter dated November 10, 2023, the cement company located at Thangskai in East Jaiñtia Hills made the contribution in compliance with the conditions prescribed under Section 182 of the Companies Act, 2013. It was signed by Amit Agarwal, the director of the company.
Top officials of the cement company when contacted claimed to have never made any contribution to any political party in the state.
The monetary donation by Meghalaya Cement Limited (Topcem) to the NPP has drawn strong reaction from netizens who linked it to the soft corner by the present MDA government to the private cement company and the use of force by police against villagers of Thangskai during the recent public hearing including provocations by the employees of the company.
Despite protest the public hearing held for expansion of the Topcem clinkerisation plant from 2600 Tonnes Per Day (TPD) up to 4,500 TPD was conducted successfully.
Questions are also being raised if such contribution has emboldened the cement company to further expand its business under the wings of the present government, which could not revive the state-owned Mawmluh Cherra Cements Limited (MCCL).