Shillong Mar 11: Forests and Environment Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui informed the Assembly that 69 licenses for operation of stone quarries have been issued.
Of this, 10 have been issued in West Garo Hills, 21 in East Khasi Hills, 21 РRi Bhoi, 1 РEast Garo Hills, 13 РWest Jai̱tia Hills and 3 РEast Jai̱tia Hills, Rymbui said while replying during question hour in the Assembly on Monday.
Earlier, opposition Congress legislator from Mahendraganj, Dikkanchi D. Shira in her supplementary, sought to know the reason behind the delay in disposing off the applications.
The Minister however said if everything was in order, there would be no delay in issuing environment clearance and quarry permit.
He said information on the total number of applications requesting for issuing of environmental clearance for operation of stone quarries is being collected, though approximately, the total number of applications is 160 and roughly 100 environmental clearances have been issued so far.