Shillong, September 5, 2025 – A day after the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) alleged financial discrepancies of nearly ₹400 crore from limestone trade involving cement factories in East Jaintia Hills District, Leader of the Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma has called for transparency and accountability from the MDA government led by the NPP.

According to HITO Secretary Wanbun Dkhar, information obtained through RTI revealed that the state government issued licenses under the category of “incidental limestone” to five cement factories. However, he argued that such permits violate provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), as limestone is classified as a “major mineral” and cannot be treated like minor minerals.

Dr. Sangma expressed concern that these irregularities raise fundamental questions on governance and public revenue management. “Public money generated from limestone cannot go into the hands of a few individuals. It must benefit the people of the state as a whole,” he asserted.

Warning against unchecked exploitation, he stressed that unregulated mining could cause irreversible environmental damage and disrupt the lives of rural communities in limestone-rich areas. He demanded that the government disclose all details regarding license issuance and urgently frame a clear, transparent mining policy.

Concluding his remarks, Dr. Sangma assured that the Opposition would continue to pursue the issue to ensure that limestone trade in Meghalaya is regulated in a sustainable manner, with benefits reaching the people rather than private interests.