Shillong, May 27: The state government will not bypass any statutory procedure for industrial projects, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Wednesday while responding to criticism over recent cancellation of public hearing on a Shree Cement plant amid stiff local opposition.
“For every project, procedures are defined and any kind of industrial project, procedures are defined,” Sangma said, adding, “For government, it is not possible for us to not follow any of the procedures and specially for larger projects.”
Refuting allegations of rule-bending, he said, “We have been following procedures and if there are certain areas and concerns, let them come out… obviously the procedures have to be followed. We are very clear on that.”
“Please remember that there is no question of bulldozing out here, there is no question of flaunting any rules out here,” he asserted.
The Chief Minister said the government’s track record over the past eight years reflects adherence to norms.
“We have been doing different projects for the last eight years. The government does not intend to break rules for any particular company or organization…all rules and procedures will be followed for all projects,” he said.
He stressed that investment size does not exempt firms from compliance. “Irrespective of whatever company comes in, we are very clear that we have to follow all the rules.”
Pointing out that these are large investments of thousands of crores and not small shops, he said, “These cannot just be done because somebody wants it to be done… procedures have to be followed…”
