Shillong: Meghalaya deputy chief minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar, disclosed on Friday that 11 out of 15 cement plants in Meghalaya have established their factories on land they own.
The government is also set to begin verifying the land ownership status of 15 out of 17 coke oven plants operating in Meghalaya.
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This announcement came in response to a zero hour notice brought by opposition VPP legislator from North Shillong, Adelbert Nongrum, during the Assembly session.
Nongrum raised concerns regarding cement companies operating their factories or mining sites on land held by tribal local directors of the companies, as well as the number of coke oven plants operating on land owned by tribal partners of partnership firms.
Cement Plant Land Ownership Breakdown
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Dhar detailed the ownership situation for the cement plants in the state, stating, “Of the 15 cement plants, 11 have set up their factories on land they own. These include Star Cement Ltd, Meghalaya Cement Ltd, Amrit Cement Ltd, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd, Green Valley Industries Ltd, Hills Cement Company Ltd, Star Cement Meghalaya Ltd, Megha Technical & Engineers Pvt Ltd, Jaintia Cement Ltd, JUD Cement Ltd, and Goldstone Cements Ltd.”
He further clarified that three cement plants—Mawmluh Cherra Cements Ltd, Virgo Cements Ltd, and Billennium Cements Ltd—operate on land leased from private landowners.
Additionally, RNB Cements Pvt Ltd has established its factory on land leased from the Commerce & Industries Department.
Operational Status of Cement Plants
Dhar provided an update on the operational status of these plants, noting that ten of the 15 cement plants are currently functional. These operational plants include:
- East Jaintia Hills District: Star Cement Ltd, Meghalaya Cement Ltd, Amrit Cement Ltd, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd, Green Valley Industries Ltd, Hills Cement Company Ltd, Star Cement Meghalaya Ltd, Megha Technical & Engineers Pvt Ltd, Jaintia Cement Ltd, and Goldstone Cements Ltd.
- Ri Bhoi District: RNB Cements Ltd.
Four cement plants are currently non-operational: JUD Cements Ltd in East Jaintia Hills, Virgo Cements Ltd in North Garo Hills, and Mawmluh Cherra Cements Ltd in East Khasi Hills.
Coke Oven Plant Land Ownership
Regarding the coke oven plants, Dhar informed the Assembly that only two plants, Abhi Coke Pvt Ltd and Jaintia Coke Pvt Ltd, have established their factories on land they own.
The government will soon begin the process of verifying the land ownership status for the remaining 15 coke oven plants in the state.
This verification process is aimed at ensuring compliance with land ownership regulations and protecting the rights of tribal communities in Meghalaya.