The State government will consult all stakeholders before taking a final decision to close down the Mawmluh Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL) at Sohra.
This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar while replying to questions raised by VPP MLA Ardent M. Basaiawmoit in the Assembly today.
“The matter to close down the MCCL at Sohra is under examination by the government,” Dhar said, adding that at present there are 278 employees of the government-owned cement factory.
When Basaiawmoit sought to know about the fate of the MCCL employees if the government decided to close it down, Dhar said, “We will take the decision at the right time. We’ll make sure that nobody is affected.”
The deputy chief minister who also holds the commerce and industries portfolio informed that a number of meetings have been held at his level and the chief minister’s level with the Syiem of Sohra, local leaders and other stakeholders to decide about the future course of action on MCCL.
Dhar however could not reply to the question by Basaiawmoit on the total amount spent by the State government to install the new dry process plant of MCCL. He however said that the dry process plant had remained shut since 2020.
To another question by Congress MLA Ronnie Lyngdoh about the irregular payment of salary to the employees and his suggestion to the government to close down the factory, Dhar said that the government would try to finalise its decision within six months.
Replying to a question by Trinamool Congress MLA Charles Pyngrope, Dhar said that the government would work out modalities before closing down the MCCL.
Sohra MLA Gavin Mylliem however urged the State government to speed up the decision to close down the cement plant in consultation with the stakeholders.