By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 1: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has directed M/s Resource Rubber Private Limited to close down its unit at Mawsmai, 11 Mer, Raid Marwet in Ri Bhoi district.
On July 29, MSPCB member secretary H Chyrmang had issued a notice to the firm’s two directors, Devender Kapoor and Hare Ram Singh, stating that the board would take action against the unit as empowered under the relevant provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974.
According to Chyrmang, section 25 and 26 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 restricts the establishment of any industry and/or operation or process, or any treatment and disposal system, whether new or existing, which is likely to discharge sewage/trade effluent into a stream or well or sewer or on land without the prior consent of the board.
Similarly, he said section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 restricts the establishment of any industry and/or operation or process or any industrial plant in an air pollution control area without the prior consent of the board.
“A public notice, issued on February 24, 2023, was published in leading newspapers in the state, directing all persons concerned/occupiers who intend to establish any industries to apply for consent from the board,” the MSPCB member secretary said.
He said the inspection of the unit in question was carried out on July 1, 2024 and it was found to be operating without obtaining prior permission from the board.
Further, Chyrmang said it was found that the unit has storage area for imported materials, washing area, drying area, segregation area, packing area and storage area for finished products but it has no waste water treatment facility on site.
The MSPCB member secretary said the firm violated section 25 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 for operating without consent from the board.
The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) had earlier questioned the firm for operating the unit without renewing its trade licence at the office of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
The HYC had threatened to close down the office of the KHADC in the event of its failure to take action against the firm.
HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem had stated that the EM in-charge of Trade, Gigur Myrthon sought one week’s time to allow the council’s legal team to study the documents concerning the firm.
“We have it very clear that it is futile to have the council’s office here in Shillong if it fails to implement its own law. We will not hesitate to close down the council’s office if it fails to act within the 7-day time which it sought,” Synrem said.
He mentioned that Section 7A of the Trading By Non-Tribals Regulation, 1954 has clearly stated that the council can initiate action against any person or firm if it is found to be carrying on trade or business without a valid trade licence in contravention of the provisions of this regulation.
The leaders of the Ri-Bhoi district unit of HYC had conducted a raid at the rubber manufacturing company following complaints of its illegal operation.
A heated argument during the raid nearly escalated into a physical altercation between the members of the organisation and the owner of the company Joginder Pal Kapoor. The owner allegedly tried to use force against the HYC members and refused to show the required documents.
Eventually, the HYC shut down the unit. It had warned that if the unit reopens without obtaining all necessary documents, stringent action will be taken against it.