Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court has admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the alleged illegal limestone mining by Amrit Cement Industries Limited in the Jaintia Hills region. The court order, issued on February 19, directs the state government to investigate the issue and submit a report.
The PIL, filed by Ranjit Chandra Goswami, claims that Amrit Cement is conducting mining operations without the necessary licenses. This accusation is backed by an RTI response from the Indian Bureau of Mines, which revealed that the company was not listed among those granted mining leases in the area.
The court order highlights that the mining activities in question are governed by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and relevant state regulations. A bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh has instructed the petitioner to serve copies of the petition to all concerned parties, including the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd.
The court has directed the state government to treat the petition as an informal complaint, conduct a necessary inquiry, and file a report by the returnable date. The investigation will include notifying Amrit Cement.
The case is scheduled for the next hearing on April 7, 2025, bringing attention to ongoing concerns regarding regulatory compliance in Meghalaya’s mining sector, particularly in the Jaintia Hills region.
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