SHILLONG: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has declared that the Public Hearing for the proposed Integrated Cement Plant by Shree Cement Ltd. in Daistong village will proceed as scheduled, dismissing demands for its cancellation.
G.H. Chyrmang, the Member Secretary of the MSPCB, emphasized that conducting the Public Hearing is a crucial and legally mandated component that must be fulfilled under the law.
He clarified that the Board cannot halt the Public Hearing in Daistong because it is bound to operate strictly according to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
“The Board’s duty is that after receiving the Term of Reference (TOR) from the Central Regulator (CR), the MSPCB must complete the Public Hearing within 45 days,” he stated.
Chyrmang added, “We must seriously consider only the EIA directive, therefore we have to proceed with the Public Hearing in Daistong village and this must be done within 45 days.”
He also stressed that the MSPCB lacks the authority to cancel the hearing based on public demands.
“The Public Hearing must be conducted in coordination with the District Administration, and the cancellation of the TOR can only happen if the Board receives a directive from the Court (Judiciary).”
This announcement comes just after the residents of Daistong, Elaka Nongkhlieh, staged a protest on December 10th against the upcoming Public Hearing, which is scheduled for December 19th, opposing the proposed Integrated Cement Plant.
However, the clear directive from the MSPCB Member Secretary confirms that despite the strong local opposition, the Public Hearing will move forward as a mandatory legal requirements.
