Shillong, Oct 16: The government-constituted fact-finding committee on the Shree Cement project has begun examining representations, with its first hearing held in Shillong on Friday.
Commissioner and Secretary in-charge Home (Political) Cyril V D Diengdoh, who heads the panel, said the committee received representations both for and against the project.
“The terms of reference of the fact finding committee are in public domain. People have given representations both supporting the Shree Cement project and some have raised concerns. Based on that we have done the hearing today,” Diengdoh told reporters.
He said over 15 groups deposed before the committee.
“More than 15 or 16 groups appeared. People who have represented wanted to be heard, so we heard them today,” he said.
Diengdoh said all depositions have been taken on record.
“All this will be examined. There are many representations. Whatever hearing we have done today, all this would be taken on record,” he said.
Dismissing allegations of a one-sided exercise, Diengdoh said officials will also be asked to submit reports.
“There is nothing one-sided. This is not the conclusion. All the facts will be examined, all the documents, all the reports from the Pollution Control Board, from the DC, from the SP, everything will be examined in toto,” he said.
He clarified that the hearing was meant for those who had submitted representations, including villagers and organisations, some of whom came to explain their support for the project.
On demands that the hearing be held at the project site, he said, “Whatever people have said in hearing, we have noted it down and we will accordingly act.”
The panel chief said it was premature to comment on the merits of the case and that the next sitting is yet to be decided.
“Today we just had the hearing, so let us take it step by step. We will examine all the documents and facts and accordingly take a decision,” Diengdoh said, adding that all those called for the hearing appeared before the committee.
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