State administration appears to be complicit’: Meghalaya HC slams state Govt over illegal coke factories
First Published: 16th December, 2022 21:31 IST
Shut down all illegal coke factories except 4 which have appropriate approvals, the Court said in a strongly worded order
The Meghalaya High Court today (December 16) came down heavily on the Conrad Sangma-led Meghalaya government and accused the state administration of being “complicit” in the act of allowing the mushrooming of illegal coke factories in East Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills districts which is damaging the environment and becoming a major health concern for the people resulting in several ailments, polluting air and water bodies.
Hearing the Chief justice of Meghalaya High Court, Sanjib Banerjee and Chief Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge said, “It is distressing that the State administration appears to be complicit in the illegal functioning of coke plants in the State as is evident from the writ petition and a letter addressed by the Superintendent of Police, West Khasi Hills District to the Deputy Commissioner dated December 15, 2022, a copy whereof has been produced in Court by the State”.
According to the court, it now appears that the State government may have actively conspired with the operators of the illegal coke plants to circumvent orders passed by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal prohibiting the illegal establishment of coke plants in the state.
Citing the petitioners’ writ petition the Court said that there are over 60 coke making units in the West Khasi Hills District against the admitted position that only have been granted consent to operate. The four units are –Carbochem India, Shemphang Riangshiang, Rilangam Coke Industries and MD Coke Industries
“As per a spot inspection carried out by the Committee on Environment of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on August 18, 2020, at least 16 coke making units are operating without any permission from the appropriate authorities”, the Court said citing the inspection report. The Court has ordered the shutting down of all the units other than the four mentioned above.
“The Chief Secretary will file a compliance report with the Registrar-General by December 19, 2022, confirming such position,” the Court said in the strongly worded order.
Pulling up the Police, the Court said, “the Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills along with the Superintendent of Police will show cause why appropriate action should be taken against such persons for failing to take steps against all coke making units operating in their jurisdiction without due authority”.
“All Deputy Commissioners and SPs in other districts should ensure that there is no coke making unit operating within their jurisdiction otherwise than upon obtaining due consent to operate, and for those units found to be operating illegally, all raw materials and finished products should be seized, and appropriate legal action should be taken against those in control of the units immediately,” said the court.
The Court has warned the state that if it fails to implement this order or any subsequent orders of Courts and Tribunals that are binding on it, “this Court will have to look to resources other than the State to enforce such orders”.
The Court further added that it is a matter of “crying shame” that the position continues, both pertaining to illegal coal mining and the functioning of unauthorised coke oven plants.
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Imphal-Andro Bad Road Issue: Protestors Cut Power Supply to Manipur Secretariat
26th July 2024Live Meghalaya Pressure Groups Stop Vehicles from Assam from Entering State, 10 Arrested; Additional Forces To Be Deployed
26th July 2024Live Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba meets Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Seeks CBSE Affiliation for State’s Indigenous Languages
26th July 2024Live Assam Rifles Commemorates 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas with Exhibition and Documentary Screening in Manipur
26th July 2024WE RECOMMEND
Meghalaya Pressure Groups Stop Vehicles from Assam from Entering State, 10 Arrested; Additional Forces To Be Deployed
Pressure Groups have been checking work permits of migrant workers and stopping outside vehicles from entering Meghalaya
26th July 2024Parallel Administration Running in Meghalaya?
Despite CM Conrad Sangma urging pressure groups not to take law in their own hands, members of these groups are stopping outside vehicles and checking papers of migrant workers
26th July 2024Meghalaya: Fresh Incident Of Petrol Bomb Attack Reported From State, Location Just 3 Kms From State Secretariat
This was the 10th such incident reported in the state since April 3, raising serious questions about the state's law and order situation
25th July 2024Work Permit, ILP Issue: Pressure Mounts on Conrad Govt as Ally UDP too Speaks Up
"We cannot allow this kind of illegal influx into the state. This is very alarming for the state and the people of the state," said UDP Chief Metbah Lyngdoh
25th July 2024UDP Demands Stricter Enforcement of Laws to Curb Illegal Labour Influx in Meghalaya
UDP Chief Metbah Lyngdoh emphasized that the state government must implement the existing regulations rigorously to address this issue effectively
25th July 2024