SHILLONG, Oct 12: The state government has directed all deputy commissioners to immediately shut down coke plants that are operating illegally.
Informing this here on Wednesday, Forest and Environment Minister James PK Sangma said that the state government has constituted an expert committee to examine the pollution level from coke plants in areas under Elaka Sutnga, East Jaintia Hills.
Informing that the expert panel is yet to submit its report, he said, “We should not jump into the conclusion on the pollution emanating from coke plants.”
It may be mentioned that he Environment Coordination Committee (ECC), which has been at the forefront demanding closure of coke plants in East Jaintia Hills, had threatened to agitate if the government fails to frame an action plan regarding the offending coke oven units as per the direction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Following state government’s failure to frame an action plan for the offending coke plants in Elaka Sutnga, the ECC has decided to come up with a nine-point action plan, which it will take to the government for implementation.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on July 28, 2022, told the Meghalaya government to take appropriate action to frame an action plan to get rid of the coke oven units established prior to December 23, 2020, to make them compliant with the laid-down norms.
