Govt already shutdown illegal coke factories in EJH: James K Sangma

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 14, 2021

Forest Minister James K Sangma on Tuesday said illegal coke factories in East Jaintia Hills have been shut down by the district administration.

“We are very aware of illegal coke factories and those have been shutdown,” Sangma told reporters.

His statement came after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had recently issued notices to both the Centre and state governments into the alleged illegal setting up of several coke factories in Sutnga Elaka in East Jaintia Hills district.

When asked, the minister claimed that the government has taken action against illegal coke factories. “We have taken action against those which are operating illegally and they have been shut down,” he reiterated.

In its order passed on December 9, the NGT has issued notice to five parties that include Meghalaya government, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), Deputy Commissioner, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). It also directed them to file counter affidavits within four weeks.

The petition was filed by one Pynbait Sutnga, who alleged environmental pollution is being caused due to operation of coke oven plants in the area of Sutnga Elaka.

The petition also alleged that several coke oven plants have been established and are operating in the East Jaintia Hills District in violation of environmental norms causing air and water pollution leading to health hazard of local people.

Counsel for the petitioner, Vivek Singh informed the NGT that some of these open coke ovens are within 100-300 meters of human habitation.

In support of his allegations, the Inspection Report of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board was also submitted along with the original application.

The counsel has also referred to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board’s Notification dated 23.12.2020 which lays down the norms criteria for siting of Coke Plants with installed production capacity of less than 25,000 MTPA in the State of Meghalaya.

He further informed that for clusters, the units should be located within a distance of 1 kilometer from each other and the minimum distance from two clusters should be 5 kilometers.

The notification dated 23.12.2020 also mentioned that the distance from the main road of stand alone coke plants should be 500 meters, the distance from major stream/river/lakes should be at least 100 meters, the distance from the outer limit of village habitation should be 1 kilometer, and the distance from important public places such as hospitals, schools, tourist spots should be 1 kilometer.

“In our opinion, matter requires consideration,” the bench said.