Shillong Today: Shillong: Thursday, 4 September 2025.
The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) has alleged a massive revenue leakage of more than ₹400 crore in limestone mining and supply to cement factories in East Jaintia Hills District, citing documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
At a press briefing at the
Shillong Press Club, HITO General Secretary Wanbun Dkhar said that the RTI
findings revealed the State Government had granted approvals for so-called
“incidental limestone” extraction to several cement companies despite such a
provision not existing under the Mines and Minerals (Development and
Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).
“Limestone is classified as a major mineral. There is no provision under the MMDR Act for incidental approvals for its extraction. Such permissions may apply only to minor minerals, not limestone,” Dkhar stated.
According to the RTI, at least six cement firms including Meghalaya Cements Ltd, Green Valley Industries, Hill Cements, and Amrit Cements benefitted from this arrangement, covering a total of 4.28 crore metric tonnes of limestone.
The royalty collected under this framework was ₹343 crore, calculated at ₹80 per metric tonne. However, under full compliance with the MMDR Act, the companies would also have been required to pay ₹70 per tonne to the Mines and Minerals Reclamation Fund and ₹24 per tonne to the District Mineral Foundation, in addition to royalty. By that measure, state revenue should have reached ₹746 crore.
“This shows a loss of more than ₹400 crore to the public exchequer. The government has caused massive revenue leakage by granting illegal approvals in the name of incidental limestone. This is a violation of the law and amounts to public loss,” Dkhar said.
HITO announced that it will consult with legal experts, environmental specialists, and rights organizations to pursue legal and constitutional measures to halt such practices and protect the state’s natural resources.
The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) has alleged a massive revenue leakage of more than ₹400 crore in limestone mining and supply to cement factories in East Jaintia Hills District, citing documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
“Limestone is classified as a major mineral. There is no provision under the MMDR Act for incidental approvals for its extraction. Such permissions may apply only to minor minerals, not limestone,” Dkhar stated.
According to the RTI, at least six cement firms including Meghalaya Cements Ltd, Green Valley Industries, Hill Cements, and Amrit Cements benefitted from this arrangement, covering a total of 4.28 crore metric tonnes of limestone.
The royalty collected under this framework was ₹343 crore, calculated at ₹80 per metric tonne. However, under full compliance with the MMDR Act, the companies would also have been required to pay ₹70 per tonne to the Mines and Minerals Reclamation Fund and ₹24 per tonne to the District Mineral Foundation, in addition to royalty. By that measure, state revenue should have reached ₹746 crore.
“This shows a loss of more than ₹400 crore to the public exchequer. The government has caused massive revenue leakage by granting illegal approvals in the name of incidental limestone. This is a violation of the law and amounts to public loss,” Dkhar said.
HITO announced that it will consult with legal experts, environmental specialists, and rights organizations to pursue legal and constitutional measures to halt such practices and protect the state’s natural resources.
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