Shillong: Shillong Member of Parliament Dr. Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon has formally urged the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to immediately suspend all environmental clearance proceedings for the proposed integrated cement plant at Daistong village in East Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya.
In a letter addressed to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, the MP raised serious concerns over procedural lapses, environmental risks and constitutional safeguards linked to the project proposed by M/s Shree Cement Limited.
The project includes a 0.95 million tonnes per annum clinker unit, a 0.99 million tonnes per annum cement unit, a 15 MW captive power plant, a 7 MW waste heat recovery system and related infrastructure spread across about 25.08 hectares of land.
Syngkon stated that East Jaintia Hills is already facing cumulative industrial stress due to multiple cement and extractive operations, and argued that any further large-scale industrial intervention must be preceded by a comprehensive assessment of cumulative environmental impacts.
He cautioned that proceeding with clearance without a proper evaluation of regional air quality, groundwater availability, river systems, agricultural land and forest cover could violate principles of sustainable development and the precautionary principle recognised in Indian environmental jurisprudence.
The MP also cited allegations of serious procedural irregularities during the statutory public hearing conducted under the EIA Notification, 2006.
According to representations received from local residents, affected villagers were allegedly obstructed from participating in the hearing, faced intimidation, and were denied free and meaningful consultation.
He said that if such allegations are established, they would undermine the integrity and legality of the environmental clearance process.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s status as a Sixth Schedule state, Syngkon stressed the need for heightened diligence in matters involving tribal land, customary land tenure and compliance with the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971.
He said concerns regarding land transfers and issuance of No Objection Certificates require careful legal scrutiny before any irreversible industrial commitments are allowed.
Referring to Article 21 of the Constitution, the MP said environmental protection and livelihood security are integral to the right to life, and that environmental clearance decisions must carry not only technical validity but also public legitimacy.
He argued that administrative prudence demands a pause in clearance proceedings when serious procedural and ecological concerns exist, warning that failure to do so could erode public confidence in environmental regulatory mechanisms.
In his formal request to the ministry, Syngkon sought immediate suspension of the environmental clearance process for the project, an independent review of the public hearing process, cumulative environmental impact assessment, and compliance with statutory land and tribal safeguards.
He also demanded that no final clearance decision be taken until the review is completed and its findings are placed on record.
Stating that he is duty-bound as the elected representative of the affected constituency, the MP warned that if the matter proceeds without a satisfactory review, he would be compelled to pursue appropriate parliamentary and institutional remedies under law.
He expressed hope that the ministry would treat the issue with urgency and seriousness in keeping with constitutional obligations and principles of environmental stewardship.
