Meghalaya Cabinet minister Hamletson Dohling, has written to Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar to reconsider the clearance given by the ministry for expansion of limestone mining in the state’s East Jaintia Hills.
In his letter to Javadekar sent on Monday, Dohling has said: “With great pain I write to you regarding issuance of Environmental Clearance by Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Impact Assessment Division to M/S Star Cement Meghalaya Ltd for Bryshirnot Limestone Division I in East Jaintia Hills District Meghalaya…despite stiff opposition from villagers and NGOs in the public hearing held on 19.10.2019, 31.01.2009 and 21.11.2020 conducted by Deputy Commissioner East Jaintia Hills district. It seems environmental clearance has been issued based only on the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hill’s Deputy Commissioner’s recommendation.’’
