Rich limestone deposits, but no taker
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 07 2013: Even though 15 years have already passed by since the presence of huge quantities of required natural resources fit to run two Cement factories in the State was detected, no outside investors have shown willing to set their foot in Manipur on learning absence of Land Laws in the hill areas of the State.

According to a reliable source, huge deposits of limestone are found in different parts of Manipur.

In Ukhrul district, limestone deposits are concentrated in Lambui, Kasom, Phungcham, Kajingmalung, Shokpao, Yengphu, Singda, Marao, Shingkap, Potsu, Nungou, Mayai, Songphel, Siralkhong, Tritland, Chingsou, Humain and Makan.

In Chandel district, the deposits of lime stone are found in Toupokpi, Chakpikarong, Pallel, Nung Phura, Nungpal, Sajik Tampak and Highport.

Along with the Geology and Mining unit of the Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Manipur, the Geological Survey of India had conducted a survey in 1989 to check availability of natural resources in these areas.

Rich limestone deposits, but no taker

During the survey, it was known that there are 9.845 Million Tonnes of limestone deposits in different parts of Manipur.

Apart from this, the survey also pointed out the possibility on the presence of another 3.441 Million Tonnes of Limestone deposits, the source disclosed.

Soon after the survey, the State Government was made aware of the fact that in addition to meeting the required quantity of the whole State, the Limestone deposits found in Manipur would be enough to run two Cement factories and export the products outside for generating income.

Consequently, the State Government has been looking for investors to start Cement factories in the State.

The source went on to reveal that a number of investors have approached the State Government for setting up Cement factories in Manipur.

The investors had even come down to inspect suitable sites for setting up the factories.

This was at a time when the Hundung Cement factory run by the State government has already collapsed.

However, when the investors studied the details of setting up a factory in the State, they always stepped back away without giving any reason whatsoever.

When, the reason for the investors to leave the State was investigated, it was found that they left mainly because of the law and order situation in the Hill areas, uncertainty over power supply to run the factory and the absence of proper a Land Law in the hills.

Though the State government claims that the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act is implemented in the hill areas of the State, in reality it is not properly implemented in the hills.

While trying to find out the owners of the land areas where the deposits of limestone are found, a number of villagers always come up claiming that the land area in question belongs to them.

But when the documents of the land are sought for payment of compensation, they failed to produce them.

Because of these discrepancies, the investors felt it best to leave the State, the source explained.

If the two factories are set up in the State, the daily transportation cements from these factories would come to over 50 truckloads and the people of the State would been able to get cements at a far cheaper rate than they are getting from outside today, the source added.