Environment fund
SHILLONG: The All Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Operators Association has filed a petition before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) challenging the tribunal’s earlier directive in which coal miners and transporters were asked to pay Rs 485 as Environment Fund for every metric tone of coal.
Speaking to media person in Shillong on Tuesday, the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Operators Association president, A Shanpru said that the environment fund rate was too high and finding no other option, the organization had to move the NGT.
The petition was filed by the Association on April 6 and the association sought an exemption from the environment fund as directed by NGT.
According to Shanpru, two hearings of the case were held on April 15 and April 21. The third hearing will be held on April 30 in Delhi.
“Besides the capacity fee, we cannot afford to pay the environment fee. This is affecting many of us,” the MCTOA president said adding that this order should be modify in the interest of all the people involved in coal mining.
“We want the NGT to revoke and modify this order,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the fund will be used for restoration of environment as per the recent directive of the National Green Tribunal.