By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 13: The East Jaintia Hills district administration demolished a chimney of M/S Druk Fuels Limited at Nongjri under Elaka Sutnga on Thursday as it was constructed without obtaining the Consent to Establish (CTE) from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB).
The demolition was carried out in the presence of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jonathan Shylla and a team which had representatives from the office of Superintendent of Police, MSPCB and District Commerce and Industries Centre.
Deputy Commissioner, Abhilash Baranwal said he had recently issued orders for the demolition of illegal under-construction coke plants as there was a likelihood that they would attempt to operate clandestinely using locally sourced coal. The demolition was carried out by blasting explosives.
“All safety precautions were observed during the process and no injuries were reported. The demolition exercise will continue over the next few weeks against all illegally constructed coke plants within the district,” Baranwal said.
On Wednesday, the administration demolished the chimneys of two coke plants which were constructed without obtaining CTE. They belonged to M/S Halari Coke Plant, Sutnga Elaka and M/S Shauryansi Coke, Wah Samsier, Sutnga.
Meanwhile, the Environment Coordination Committee (ECC) of Elaka Sutnga said the demolition was to have started on Tuesday following the DC’s order but was delayed by a day due to certain formalities. The ECC had met the DC to ascertain the reasons behind the delay.
“We were informed by the DC that 34 units are to be demolished and the exercise started today,” Reading War, advisor to ECC, said.
He expressed relief that the demolition started two years after the people of the Elaka started a fight against the establishment of these coke oven plants.
War said after all these illegal coke plants are demolished, the ECC’s fight will be against the MSPCB. He said the ECC will prove how officials of the MSPCB issued Consent to Operate licences “unprofessionally” and “recklessly”.
“The High Court has asked the state to ascertain the people involved in the operation of illegal coke plants in this district. We are ready to assist the state. We will furnish details of all those who started illegal coke plants in the district,” he said.
He claimed the ECC has evidence about “benami” operation of coke plants in the district. He said it was learnt from the department concerned following an RTI application that 32 units are owned by non-tribals.
War said although matters pertaining to coke plants are pending in Supreme Court, High Court of Meghalaya and district courts and the affected people staging continued protests and submitting several petitions and memorandums to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the MSPCB issued CTE to another three coke plant units earlier this year. They are M/S Magic Coke, M/S MM Minerals and M/S Presidium Breeze at Nongsning village, Elaka Sutnga.
These were categorised as erring units and fines were imposed. Their applications were rejected as they were established without CTE as mentioned in the report furnished to the NGT last year.
“On what basis the MSPCB issued the papers and legalized these units. We demand the withdrawal of the papers or stay the operation of the CTEs issued recently within two weeks or the matter will be taken up in a different way. The official concerned should give an answer to this issue,” War said.
He said the action of issuing the CTEs implies that the present government is not considering the mandate of the people despite their protests against the establishment of coke plants in the district.
“We would offer our assistance to the DC and MSPCB if they need any assistance for the demolition of these 34 illegal coke plants early,” he added.