By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 4: The 33rd interim report on illegal coal mining and transportation compiled by the Justice (retired) B.P. Katakey panel and submitted to the High Court of Meghalaya has recommended the demolition of 33 coke oven plants, which did not comply with the siting norms.
Sixteen of these plants established illegally are in the East Jaintia Hills district, and 17 are in the West Khasi Hills district. The committee, in its 32nd interim report on August 22, recommended the demolition of the coke plants in these two districts, as directed by the Supreme Court.
Neither the Mining and Geology Department nor the Deputy Commissioners concerned submitted a report on the coke plants by October 10, as they were asked on September 22.
The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), however, submitted the report on October 13 to the Mining and Geology Secretary. A copy was marked to the Committee, enclosing therewith the two communications – both on March 12 – issued to the DCs of the East Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills districts, intimating them about the 33 plants not adhering to the siting norms.
They were also told about the need to demolish the plants according to an order issued by the apex court.
A copy of another communication on July 10 issued by the West Khasi Hills DC to the Forest and Environment Secretary, requesting the approval of the rate of demolition/dismantling of chimneys of the 17 coke plants, was enclosed with the said communication.
Two more communications, both on August 6, issued by the Member Secretary, MSPCB, to the DCs of the East Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills districts, requesting submission of an action taken report on the demolition of the coke plants, were also enclosed with the October 13 communication.
The report said that despite the said communications, the committee has not been informed about the demolition of the aforementioned 33 illegal coke oven plants in the two districts, despite directions from the Supreme Court.
The report pointed out that the non-demolition of such illegal coke oven plants increases the possibility of the use of coal, the raw material sourced from illegal mining in the state, and hence, immediate demolition of such coke oven plants is necessary, which has not been done by the state so far, without any valid reason.
The committee recommended the demolition of these 33 coke oven plants within a week, and sought a compliance report to curb illegal coal mining and transportation activities in the state.
