The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) is proceeding with a public hearing on December 19 for the proposed Shree Cement Integrated Cement Plant in Daistong, East Jaintia Hills, despite opposition from local villagers and the Jaintia National Council (JNC). The JNC has alleged that the land earmarked for the project was transferred to a non-tribal individual, Bharat Sharma, without proper authorization, violating the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act, 1972. The organization has claimed that the transfer was made without the required written permission from the Deputy Commissioner, as mandated by Section 2 of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971.
The MSPCB has stated that it is mandated to conduct the public hearing in accordance with the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) 2006 guidelines, and that it has no role in the public’s opposition to the project. The Board’s Member Secretary, Dr. GH Chyrmang, emphasized that the hearing will be held as planned, and that the Board can only suspend the Terms of Reference (ToR) or halt the hearing if directed by the court.
The JNC has accused the state government of ignoring its petition to halt the process, and has warned that the project could damage farmlands and threaten livelihoods. The organization has submitted multiple letters and a formal complaint, demanding that the public hearing be deferred until the legality of the land transfer is fully verified. The JNC has urged the Commissioner & Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management Department to investigate the matter, verify approvals, and nullify the transaction if it is found to be illegal.
The proposed cement plant has sparked concerns among local residents, who are worried about the potential environmental and social impacts of the project. The JNC has reiterated its commitment to opposing any breach of tribal land protection laws, and has called for greater transparency and protection of indigenous land rights. The public hearing on December 19 is expected to be a crucial step in the project’s approval process, and it remains to be seen how the concerns of the local residents and the JNC will be addressed.