Env panel to raise heat on govt with protest

SHILLONG, Dec 2: The state government’s dilly-dallying over the issue of coke plants and non-compliance of the National Green Tribunal’s judgment has peeved the Environment Coordination Committee (ECC) of Elaka Sutnga, East Jaintia Hills, which has decided to hit the streets again on December 15.
The rally will be held from 1 kilo to office of the Deputy Commissioner of Khliehriat.
It may be mentioned that a judgment was passed by the NGT on July 28 this year after a case opened by the ECC through Pynbait Sutnga against the establishment of the coke plants in Elaka Sutnga.
The case was disposed of and the NGT directed the state government through Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) to collect the entire fines imposed against the 31 coke units for being run without the Consent to Establish (CTE) amounting to Rs 5.5 core, approximately.
The NGT had directed the state government to frame an action plan against the coke plants that were established prior to December 2020 and have obtained the Consent to Operate (CTO) but could not meet the sitting norms.
In this regard, the NGT had directed the government to complete the accumulation of the entire fines and to frame the action plan within 4 months from the time of passing the judgment.
“However, even after the expiry of four months that is on the 8th of November 2022, the government is silent. Therefore, the government failed to comply with the direction given in the judgment,” the ECC said.
They claimed that they committee has met many government departments inquiring about the action plan and even held a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong but ott no avail.
Charging the government with ignoring the concerns of the people of Elaka Sutnga and the district as a whole, the ECC said that the government or the concerned ministers have failed to serve the people.