Shillong, May 21: Brushing aside allegations of coercion, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong on Thursday said the government has “nothing to hide” and asked groups opposing a proposed cement factory to voice their objections at the public hearing scheduled for May 22.
“Please, they should not misunderstand that the government is acting by force. What do you mean we are acting by force? If we were acting by force, there would not even be a public hearing. The work would have gone ahead directly,” Tynsong said while responding to querries related to the ongoing protest against the public hearing of one Cement Factory on May 22.
He maintained that opposing the hearing itself defeats the purpose of public consultation.
“We are always open for discussion. When there is any kind of misunderstanding, we are always there to resolve the issue. But now those people who are against the public hearing, I think that is wrong. They are mistaken,” he said.
Explaining the mandate, Tynsong said “When we say public hearing, what is it? It is to know the mind of the people, the stakeholders, whether you want to have a cement factory or not. That is very clear.”
He added that regulations require the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board to hold the hearing.
“So if you are against it, go there. The provisions of the regulations clearly indicate that the Pollution Control Board has to conduct the public hearing,” he said.
“Public hearing is to hear the grievances, the concerns of each and every stakeholder. So that is important,” the Deputy CM said, urging agitators to participate.
“Regarding this agitation by those who say they oppose the public hearing, I want to say here that your thinking is wrong. Why don’t you want the public hearing to take place? Because the provision is that the office of the Pollution Control Board wants to know what is the concern, hat is the feeling of the people, whether the proposal to set up a cement factory is right or not,” he said.
Tynsong questioned demonstrations held outside the venue. “I don’t understand why they are protesting at the DC office or other places. Why not do it there? When you are concerned, please do it there. We are very transparent,” he said.
“I request these agitators, please don’t misunderstand. Please understand the stages of procedures and attend the public hearing and raise your concern over there in the public hearing,” he said.
“I want to clarify to those who are unhappy, who are opposing: please give your suggestions at the public hearing. That is the reason the public hearing has been specifically arranged — to get all opinions and thoughts, whether you talk about environmental issues or economic issues,” Tynsong added.
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