SHILLONG: The National Green Tribunal, Eastern Zone, has taken up the case related to the health of the Myntdu river.
Sajay Laloo from Panliar, Jowai in a statement said the counsel for the petitioner had filed an affidavit in reply, bringing about all the lapses and non compliances on the part of the state government.
“The Tribunal allowed the petitioner to file reply to the affidavit filed by the government and also to give any comments and suggestions if any. In its order, the Tribunal has specifically asked the state government and the Jowai Municipal Board to indicate whether common sewerage treatment plants (STPs) have been constructed in the municipal area for treatment of domestic waste water before being discharged into the river,” he said.
According to Laloo, the Tribunal has also asked the state and Jowai Municipal Board whether sewerage network has been established in Jowai town.
The tribunal has also mentioned that the need to set up these facilities in Jowai town cannot be avoided and the state was directed to obtain clearance from the appropriate authorities, be it JHADC or traditional institutions, and to report on these aspects before the next date of hearing.
He said the Jowai Municipal Board, in its reply filed before the NGT said the subject matter of house construction and land lies with the JHADC and not with the state government.
“This is highly misleading as Jowai is a town and falls under the urban development department (town planner division),” Laloo said.
