Lafarge gave Rs 120.68 crore

SHILLONG, MAR 18: The Lafarge Umiam Mining Ltd has deposited Rs 120.68 crore with the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the development of mining areas, chief minister Mukul Sangma told the assembly on Friday.

Replying to a query raised by opposition leader Donkupar Roy, Sangma said, “The total amount spent on development of the Lafarge mining area till February this year is Rs 34.25 crore.” He also informed that the area falling within the Lafarge mining area as per the ruling of the Supreme Court of India is in the project area of 50 kilometers.

“In view of the physical consideration with regard to the terrain and jurisdiction of the area, the SPV society has interpreted the area falling within the Lafarge mining area to cover the elakas/villages within a perimeter distance of 50 km around the mining area which shall be approved by the SPV committee.”

Raising his supplementary on the issue, Roy asked the state government to avoid arbitrary selection of villages for implementation of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). According to him, villages which are very far away have been included in the project area while those very near were sidelined.

“If Mawlyngbna village which is located 12 km away from the project area can be included then why not Ishamati village which is located at a distance of only 8 km,” he said while suggesting the use of google map to select villages.

On this, the chief minister assured that the point raised by the opposition leader is well taken and the matter will be re-examined by the SPV society.-By Our Reporter