KHADC to close down MCPL operations

A Reporter

SHILLONG, May 5: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Tuesday decided to close down the operations of Maheswari Company Private Ltd (MCPL) in South West Khasi Hills following allegations of illegal drilling of uranium by the company.

Latiplang Kharkongor, EM in-charge Trade, told newsmen on Tuesday, “We will close-down the uranium drilling mining operation of the MCPL as it is totally illegal. The company has also misled the district council.”

Kharkongor said, “On a recent inspection to site of operation by the enforcement wing of the district council, it was found that the drilling activities by the company was carried in Weikut under Kulang area, about 9 kilometers away from Wahkut.”

He also said that the company produced before the enforcement official who was present on the site, a new land agreement which they had made with the Nongbri clan.

“This operation by the company in Weikut is illegal because the district council has never issued any permission or license to the company to conduct operations on that area.”

According to him, following an order issued by the High Court after the company filed a petition against the cancellation of its license in 2012, the district council has issued the renewal license to the firm for 2013-2014.

Kharkongor informed that in the year 2011, the company was given a deadline of 60 days to produce proper documents, but it failed to comply.

According to him, the license issued in 2009 has also allowed the company to operate in areas under East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi District.

But it was only 2013, the company, after moving to the court, was able to produce documents and the license was issued.

Kharkongor said that an application for renewal was also submitted by the company for 2014-2015, while adding “The ARPA Executive Committee led by Ardent M Basaiawmoit has decided to reject the application through an order.” He said that the company refused to take the enforcement officials of the district council to the sites where the drilling is taking place.