Following the decision by Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) to shut down 31 coke factories in Sutnga, East Jaiñtia Hills and levy environmental compensation on them for violation of environmental laws, the Environment Coordination Committee (ECC) of Sutnga Elaka has expressed confidence that 14 other coke plants which have been granted consent to operate (CTO) would also be closed down soon by NGT.
“Now the citizens of the Sutnga Elaka are waiting for judgment for those 14 units which have been granted CTOs. As per my findings and understanding these coke plants will never be allowed to operate in their respective location as all of these are within residential areas. The same has also been stated in our rejoinder affidavit before the NGT Eastern Zone to counter the government’s stand that the 14 units have vested rights,” ECC of Sutnga Elaka secretary Pynbait Sutnga said today.
“Yes those 14 units may have vested rights but those rights that they have cannot supersede the right of citizens to breathe fresh air as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. Many times the Supreme Court has passed guidelines in this regard. So we are confident that the judgement will be in the favour of the citizens,” Sutnga added.
It may be mentioned that the NGT Eastern Zone in its order passed on March 11 has given two months to MSPCB to furnish details regarding the action taken against the 31erring coke plants and to levy environmental compensation on them.
As the MSPCB failed to do so on the given date, the NGT on May 11 granted another two weeks’ time to the MSPCB to comply with the order passed on March 11.
It was on May 26 that the MSPCB issued a direction to 31 coke plants to pay environmental compensation and to deposit the same with the member secretary of MSPCB within 15 days from the date of receiving the direction.
The environmental compensation imposed by the MSPCB ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 51 lakh is based on the amount of violation of environmental norms by the different coke plants.
Again on May 27 the NGT heard all the parties regarding all the issues related to environmental compensation and especially for those 14 units who have obtained CTOs. After hearing all sides, the NGT has reserved its judgement on the matter.
Earlier on May 26, the Environment Coordination Committee (ECC) of Sutnga Elaka had submitted a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Chief Secretary Rebecca Suchiang urging them to pass necessary order to dismantle all those coke plants since their existences serves no purposes after refusal of consent was issued to them.
