The Committee on Government Assurances of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, led by Chairman Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, along with Committee members Gabriel Wahlang, MLA, and Matthew B Kurbah, MLA, conducted a spot inspection of Mawmluh Cherra Cements Limited (MCCL) at Sohra today.
The Committee also engaged with officials of the state’s only government-owned cement factory, which the government is considering closing down.
The Managing Director of MCCL, W.A.M. Booth, the Chief General Manager of MCCL, K. Lyngdoh, and other officials of the cement factory participated in the interaction.
During the interaction, the Chairman of the Committee, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, expressed that there seems to be no hope for the factory to be revived due to a multitude of reasons, including the cost of running the factory.
The Committee members unanimously agreed to recommend to the government the conversion of the factory into a museum and the quarters of the MCCL into a resort, with the possibility of offering staff the opportunity to manage the resort and museum. He added that by converting the premises into a tourist spot, revenue could be generated.
“We know that the Government wants to scrap this factory and to close down this factory and to dismantle…after observing the beauty of this place and seeing the good quarters and buildings of this MCCL, I feel it is sad to dismantle it,” the Chairman stated.
Committee Member Matthew B Kurbah revealed his close association with MCCL from 1999-2000 and expressed regret over the factory’s closure and the loss of jobs for its employees. He concurred with the Chairman’s proposal, suggesting that the factory’s history could be shared with the public through conversion into a museum, and that staff could be involved in managing the campus.
Expressing sorrow over the closure of the state-owned factory, Committee Member Gabriel Wahlang voiced hope that the government would devise a beneficial package and a favorable exit plan for the staff of MCCL.