SHILLONG, Feb 13: An RTI has revealed that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has not yet utilised amount to the tune of Rs 100 crore which was deposited by the Meghalaya government under the Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund (MEPRF) in 2019.
It may be noted that the amount was deposited as per the direction of the Supreme Court for the purpose of restoration of the environment.
In the RTI reply which was received by RTI activist, Reading War, the CPCB admitted that Meghalaya deposited/transferred Rs 50 crore on February 2, 2019, and another Rs 50 crore was deposited on August 3, 2019.
Also, the CPCB informed that the amount utilised as per the office records is nil, while adding that the project sanctioned in different districts of Meghalaya is nil, according to office records.
The CPCB has also mentioned that the number of projects that have been completed under the same fund is nil.
When contacted, the RTI activist suggested that some projects under the deposited amount should be earmarked for restoration of the rivers in East Jaintia Hills since the people are dealing with water crisis problem throughout the year.
According to War, the restoration of Moopun river should be taken up since it is only the source of water for five villages viz., Jarain, Tluh, Latyrke, Moolamylliang and Lamyrsiang, and some adjacent villages located in Elaka Sutnga.
“This is the failure in the part of the concerned department to follow the direction of the apex court to utilise the amount which was deposited by the Meghalaya government,” he added.
The transferred fund was meant for restoration of environment damaged by unregulated rat-hole coal mining in the state.
The amount was provided from Rs 445 crore, which the state government had collected under the MERPF, an account where 10% of the market value of coal per metric tonne was deposited from the transportation of coal that was extracted before the National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole mining in April 2014.
Earlier, a senior government official had informed that the state government has so far sanctioned three projects for restoration of the environment.
One of these is being implemented by the Central Institute of Mine and Fuel Research for treating acidic water.
The MERPF will also be utilised in tree plantation and closure of abandoned mines.