Protest: Government fails to come up with action plan for coke plant

Shillong: The Environment Coordination Committee (ECC) has decided to hit the streets again on December 15, accusing the Meghalaya government of failing to formulate an action plan for coke plant as directed by the National Green Tribunal.

The ECC is leading the fight against the establishment of coke plant in Elaka Sutnga, located in the eastern Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya.
On December 15, there will be a rally starting from She Kilo (1 Kilo) to Deputy Commissioner Office Khaleria. The rally is against the state government’s failure to comply with the verdict of the National Green Tribunal.

On July 8, 2022, the NGT Eastern Zone, Kolkata delivered the verdict after the ECC preferred a case by Panbait Sutanga against setting up of coke plants in Elaka Sutanga.
The case was disposed of and the NGT directed the state government through the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) to collect the entire penalty imposed against the 31 units for setting up without consent (CTE). is, which is about Rs.5.5 crores.

The NGT directed the state government to formulate an action plan against coke plants that have obtained consent to operate (CTOs) before notification of setting norms on 23-12-2020. The CTO is directed to comply with the regularity of setting even if received before the date of notification.
The NGT had given time to the government to collect the entire penalty and prepare an action plan within a period of 4 months from the time of the judgment.

However, even after the end of four months i.e. November 8, 2022, the government is silent. The government has failed to comply with the direction given in the judgement,” said Reddingwar, Legal Adviser, ECC.

War added, “In connection with the implementation of the decision passed by the NGT, the ECC has met the concerned departments of the state and inquired about the action plan. Deputy Chief Minister Even after the meeting, there was no fruitful result.

The ECC alleged that the government is completely ignoring the people of Alka Sutanga and the district. Also, the government and the concerned ministers have failed to serve the people and have failed to respect the lives of the citizens of the district. Even the NGT condemned the state for not paying attention and failing to protect the lives of citizens,” the ECC said.