Shillong, Oct 13: The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved the formal closure and winding-up of Mawmluh Cherra Cements Limited (MCCL), bringing an end to the state’s oldest public sector undertaking after decades of operation in Sohra.
Established in the early 1960s under undivided Assam, MCCL was Meghalaya’s oldest state-owned cement factory. Located in the limestone-rich region of Sohra, the plant played a role in the region’s industrial development before facing years of financial difficulties, ageing machinery and operational inefficiencies.
The government initiated the winding-up process in late 2023 after efforts to revive or privatise the facility failed to provide a viable path forward.
As part of the closure process, the government disbursed ₹98.25 crore under a Voluntary Retirement Scheme and Voluntary Separation Scheme. The package cleared pending dues for 201 employees.
The Cabinet also approved the write-off of approximately ₹8.9 crore in sales tax dues and ₹15.53 crore in mining royalty liabilities owed to state departments, facilitating the company’s formal closure.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has said the government plans to redevelop the vacant factory site into an eco-tourism and cultural hub.
The proposed redevelopment aims to leverage Sohra’s natural landscape to promote sustainable tourism, generate employment and create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, marking a shift from the area’s industrial legacy towards community-led economic development.
