SHILLONG : The Jaintia National Council (JNC) has raised questions over what it described as contradictory statements from the Meghalaya Government regarding the status quo imposed on the proposed Shree Cement project at Lum Syrman in East Jaiñtia Hills.

The JNC, under the leadership of its president Sambormi Lyngdoh, said on Monday that it has written to the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), urging them to strictly follow the applicable regulatory norms and ensure that the status quo remains in force.

The Council said no activities related to the project should be allowed until the fact-finding committee constituted by the state government submits its report.

According to the JNC, its delegation was informed by SEIAA Chairman Annamalai that no action had been taken following the government’s status quo order and that the environmental clearance process would not be taken forward as long as the order remained in force.

However, the JNC claimed that on the same day, the Joint Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat told the delegation that the status quo applied only to ground work and did not prevent file work from being carried out.

The Council said the two statements have created confusion over the actual scope of the status quo order.

“Mr. Annamalai’s statement indicates that the department will not proceed with any paperwork while the status quo is in effect. We are surprised by the contradictory versions,” the JNC said.

The Council has therefore urged the state government to issue a clear official notification to all concerned departments as well as the public in East Jaiñtia Hills, specifying exactly what activities are covered by the status quo order.

The JNC said such clarification is necessary to prevent any possible violation of the order while the fact-finding process is underway.