The Jaintia National Council (JNC) Central Executive Committee, led by President Sambormi Lyngdoh, filed a complaint with the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) on Thursday over the proposed public hearing for Shree Cement's project in Nongkhlieh district, scheduled for May 22.
The delegation met the MSPCB Member Secretary and raised a series of concerns alleging violations in the EIA report related to the project.
Sambormi Lyngdoh, President of the JNC, speaking to reporters said the organization do not oppose development, but objects to what it describes as legal and procedural lapses in the project approvals.
Lyngdoh addressing the violation of laws elaborated, "Firstly, this project does not fall under the State's jurisdiction. As per the EIA Notification 2006, any mining lease exceeding 50 hectares is classified as a Category A project, which is under the Central Government's jurisdiction through the MoEF&CC."
"The Shree Cement mine spans 217 hectares, significantly exceeding the threshold. The SEIAA, Meghalaya lacks the authority or legal basis to issue a ToR for this project. Consequently, any actions taken under that ToR, including this public hearing, are illegal and void in the eyes of the law. However, when the MS of MSPCB was contacted, he mentioned that the Government of India has amended the EIA threshold from 50 hectares to 250 hectares, but the major mineral regulations must still adhere to the General Condition of the Terms of Reference," he added.
Lyngdoh further said that EIA was specifically prepared for a project in Gujarat. The first page of the EIA's Preamble explicitly states, in the consultant's own words: "The primary objective of this EIA report is to obtain prior environmental clearance from the Environmental Impact Assessment Authority of the State of Gujarat."
"This indicates that this EIA is not applicable to Meghalaya. Why is a public hearing being proposed in Meghalaya?," he questioned.
"Shree Cement has submitted this EIA without an approved Mining Plan from the Indian Bureau of Mines. According to their EIA, a mine cannot proceed without an approved Mining Plan, as per legal regulations," Lyngdoh said.
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Further, he highlighted that the Saipung Reserve Forest is distinctly situated just 4.26 km from the project site, as indicated by the EIA. The EIA notification of 2006 states that areas within 5 km are classified as category A, yet the EIA asserts that it is categorized as B.
"The mine's Disaster Management Plan (DMP) is baseless, as it proposes a seismic safety zone or earthquake protection zone that the Government of India has already revoked in March 2026. The report indicates that Shree Cement submitted the EIA on April 7, which was 35 days after the withdrawal from the Gazette of India. This implies that they intend to base our land protection plan on an obsolete law."
The JNC also questioned the state government's enforcement of environmental regulations and called for action from the Chief Minister, alleging inconsistencies in how legal violations are addressed.
"The pressing question remains: how do we confront Shree Cement? This constitutes a breach of the law. This inquiry will also be directed to the Chief Minister, who oversees the Forest and Mining Department; what actions will he take in response?," he said.
The union also urged residents of Nongkhlieh Elaka, the landowners in the area, not to sell their land for mining purposes, stating that companies are primarily interested in mineral resources rather than itself.
The JNC appealed the government to clarify the issues and take corrective steps, questioning the validity of approvals granted outside Meghalaya and how they apply to the state.