Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed the Assembly that the government has identified 21 coke factories in the state, 17 of which were operating illegally.
“The coke factories without valid documents have been closed down,” Sangma told the House during Question Hour on the second day of the budget session today. “The coke factories have been issued a closure notice on August 15, 2020.”
Sangma said that out of the 17 illegal coke factories, 10 received single-window clearances and are awaiting Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) under the Air & Water Act.
The CM also informed that trials are on in the District Court against the illegal coke factories in Shallang, West Khasi Hills.
Replying to a query on the source of coal that is being burnt in these coke factories, Sangma said that with proper clearances from the Single Window Agency and the Pollution Control Board, the legal factories can procure coal from anywhere in the country, be it from Assam coalfields or West Bengal with valid documents and the coal did not necessarily have to have been illegally sourced from within Meghalaya.
On coke factories falling under the ‘red category’, the Chief Minister said, “We need to go ahead with industrialisation. It is all about balancing economy and ecology.”
Moreover, he said there are certain norms set by the Air and Water Act that the government must adhere to while granting permission for setting up of industries falling under the ‘red category’.
