SHILLONG, June 8: The High Court of Meghalaya on Wednesday disposed of a PIL pertaining to the distribution of LPG cylinders, with a hope that the proposed LPG bottling plant at Ri-Bhoi will ensure benefit to the residents of the state and that it will be set up respecting the surroundings and the environment.
“…It is also hoped that the NOC sought from the district administration in Ri-Bhoi will be dealt with in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible,” a division bench of the court said in its order.
The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) will set up the plant. Since it will create jobs and facilitate the opening up of incidental businesses, the court had monitored the matter.
In its April 27 order, the court had said the tender process for land development and construction of the boundary wall had been commenced and applications submitted to the authorities, including the District Forest Officer and the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, for relevant permissions. In due course, the Forest department granted permission.
The court on Wednesday said the state quite rightly suggested that since the project is at a nascent stage and construction will begin after the tender process is complete, the IOCL would do well to set up a plant or facility within the unit to deal with the garbage that may be produced in the usual course.
The state said due care and caution should be taken in dealing with the earth that is dug up at the time of the plant’s construction.
“There is no doubt that the State Pollution Control Board and other appropriate authorities would remind IOCL of the guidelines that need to be followed in dealing with the earth that may be dug up for the purpose of the construction,” the bench said.
The tender process would be complete by June 25 this year. It was submitted on behalf of the IOCL that offers would be opened on June 27.