SHILLONG, May 27: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday rejected allegations of irregularities and favouritism surrounding the proposed limestone mining and cement project of Shree Cement in the Lum Syrman area, asserting that the government has strictly followed all legal procedures and statutory requirements related to the project.
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| Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma addresses the media on the proposed Shree Cement limestone mining and cement project, stating that all statutory procedures and legal requirements are being strictly followed by the government. |
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said the state government has maintained transparency and procedural compliance in all major investments and development projects undertaken over the past eight years and would not compromise rules for any company or organisation.
“The government has been following all procedures for every project. Procedures are clearly defined, especially for large industrial projects. Therefore, these allegations are not correct,” Sangma said.
The proposed project has recently drawn criticism and concerns from certain quarters, with allegations that the government was favouring a particular company and attempting to fast-track approvals. However, the Chief Minister dismissed the claims, emphasizing that all projects, irrespective of the companies involved, are subjected to the same regulatory framework and statutory scrutiny.
“There is no question of bulldozing or flaunting any rules. All procedures and statutory requirements must be followed for every project,” he stated.
Sangma also said the government remains open to hearing concerns from citizens and stakeholders regarding the project. He urged individuals or groups with grievances to come forward through proper channels so that issues could be addressed within the framework of law and established procedures.
“If there are concerns in certain areas, let people come out and share them. Procedures have to be followed and we are very clear on that,” he added.
The Chief Minister underlined that projects involving investments worth thousands of crores cannot be approved arbitrarily or merely at the request of any entity. He said such projects require multiple levels of scrutiny, clearances, and compliance with environmental, legal, and administrative procedures before implementation.
“These are not small businesses or shops being opened in a village. These are large investments involving thousands of crores. Such projects cannot happen simply because someone wants them to happen. They can only move forward on the basis of established procedures,” Sangma remarked.
The Shree Cement proposal in Meghalaya is linked to limestone mining and cement production activities in the state, where the cement industry remains one of the key industrial sectors due to the availability of limestone reserves. However, large-scale mining and industrial projects in Meghalaya often attract scrutiny over environmental impact, land use, ecological sustainability, and local community concerns.
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While reiterating that the administration would continue adhering strictly to rules, Sangma maintained that no special treatment would be given to any company and that transparency would remain central to the approval process.
Government officials have indicated that all environmental clearances, statutory permissions, and public consultation processes linked to the proposed project would be conducted as mandated under law before any final implementation decisions are taken.
