Meghalaya | Assembly panel directs closure of 15 illegal coke factories

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 31, 2020

The Assembly’s Committee on Environment (CoE) on Friday directed the district administration of West Khasi Hills to close down 15 illegal coke factories within two weeks, for violation against the water and air acts.

The direction was given after a meeting held with officials of the Commerce and Industries, Mining & Geology, Directorate of Mineral Resources, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), Water Resources and West Khasi Hills district administration.

Chairman of the CoE, SK Sunn told reporters that 15 of 20 coke factories located in Shahlang area of the district were found to have violated the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution Act), 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution Act), 1981.

He said the MSPCB has accordingly on August 5, issued closure notices to these illegal factories for also establishing and operating their units without a valid consent.

“The committee has therefore endorsed the decision of the MSPCB and directed the district administration to implement the same within 14 days,” Sunn said.