The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) has expressed shock on learning that no applications for environmental clearance have been received from any coke factories in the state.
HITO has demanded that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma come clean with all details about this critical issue and should immediately shut down all illegal coke factories in Meghalaya.
In response to a complaint lodged by HITO about the presence of illegal coke factories in Meghalaya, especially in Jaiñtia Hills, the Member Secretary of the State Environment Impact Assessment Agency (SEIAA) vide a letter dated today has categorically stated that till date “no applications have come from any coke plant for grant of Environmental Clearance (EC)”.
HITO president Donbok Dkhar said, “It is astonishing to note that despite repeated media reports which are based on facts and numerous such factories being exposed on social media, which has even caused the Assembly committee on environment to take note and conduct site inspections, the government is denying the existence of such criminal activities right under its very nose… Is the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance going to deny the existence of illegal coke factories even to the august Assembly committee?”
