India: NCP demands closure of illegal cement units

India’s opposition, National Congress Party, today demanded the government should stop all cement plants operating illegally in Jaintia Hills district beside a compensation in line with which Supreme Court had imposed on Lafarge Umiam Pvt Ltd.

The demand came in the wake of the findings of the High Power Committee of Meghalaya government which submitted its report in the late hours last year. "We demand the government to close down all cement companies in operation in Jaintia Hills district.

We also demand these companies to compensate the state government on the loss of forest covers and land in line with Supreme Court order on Lafarge which is mining limestone in Shella in East Khasi Hills for afforestation and development of local area," Opposition Leader Conrad K Sangma told reporters here.