Meghalaya: Supreme Court stays demolition of coke plants in East Jaintia Hills district

By Purbasha Bhattacharjee

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has stayed the order issued by the East Jaintia Hills District Administration to demolish coke plants in areas under its jurisdiction. The apex court in its order dated July 21, has however said that the “Deputy Commissioner shall be at liberty to seal the coke plants’ premises which shall remain nonoperational.”

The apex court gave the ruling after hearing a writ petition filed by Druk Fuels Limited.

In its order, the Supreme Court said, “Demolition of coke plants, as directed by the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District shall remain stayed. However, the said Deputy Commissioner shall be at liberty to seal the coke plants’ premises, which shall remain non-operational.”
If reports are to be believed, over 50 coke plants are operating in the East Jaintia Hills district by flouting necessary guidelines.

On July 12, the East Jaintia Hills district administration had begun demolishing illegal coke factories. That very day two illegal coke plants were demolished.
The two plants demolished were Halari Coke and Shauryansi Coke, both under Elaka Sutnga.
As per inputs available with Northeast Live, on July 10, the authorities of the West Khasi Hills district had demolished three coke plants in the Shallang area and arrested five persons involved in running them illegally.

On July 18, the West Khasi Hills District Administration had demolished 13 chimneys located in Nonglanpur after the government approved demolition of 57 chimneys constructed without clearances.