The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Eastern Zone Bench has slammed the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) for giving time to the illegal coke plants in East Jaiñtia Hills to cover up their illegal activities.
The NGT bench of Judicial Member Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Expert Member Saibal Dasgupta was hearing the plea by Pynbait Sutnga today through video conferencing. Sutnga had complained against the violation of environmental laws by coke plants in East Jaiñtia Hills.
During the hearing, the affidavit of MSPCB was filed before the bench.
However, the affidavit of MSPCB does not show environmental compensation to have been computed against the violators of environmental norms who are operating the coke plants.
The MSPCB also stated in the affidavit that two coke plants namely Jaiñtia Coke Industries and Vivan Associate could not be inspected and therefore another day has been fixed.
With regard to the five other coke units also, the MSPCB stated that inspection could not be carried out since complaints filed against them were based on violation of Consent to Establish (CTE) and not violation of Consent to Operate (CTO) and they were found to have initiated constructions/minor constructions like leveling of the land etc, prior to obtaining Consent to Establish (CTE).
Irked by the affidavit filed by MSPCB, the NGT bench said, “Be that as it may, operating coke plants without environmental clearance are all violations of environmental norms under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.”
“This affidavit of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board gives us the impression that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board is only giving time to the violators of law to cover up their tracks due to which reasons, inspections were not conducted promptly,” the NGT bench said.
The NGT bench also gave two weeks time to the MSPCB to file a new affidavit showing what action has been taken against the defaulting, illegal coke plants.
“If the affidavit is not filed by May 27, 2022, the Member Secretary, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board shall be present physically in court on the next date of listing with his personal affidavit,” the NGT bench said while listing the matter for hearing on May 27.
It may be mentioned that Pynbait Sutnga had moved a petition before the NGT Eastern Zone on October 25, 2021 alleging environmental pollution being caused due to operation of coke plants in the area of Sutnga Elaka.
The petition also alleged that several coke plants have been established and are operating in East Jaintia Hills in violation of environmental norms causing air and water pollution leading to health hazards of local people. He also alleged that some of these coke plants were set up within 100-300 meters of human habitation.
