Guwahati: Residents of Nongsning and Umrasong villages in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, demanded immediate closure of alleged illegal coke plants operating in the surroundings. The villagers argued that these plants were responsible for rising pollution levels affecting normal life in their area.
In a petition submitted to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), the village councils highlighted alarming air and water pollution levels attributed to these unauthorized plants. They also mentioned in the petition that the rising pollution levels put their lives at risk.
The petition consisted of several other grievances, asserting that the plants operate without proper permits and flout environmental regulations.
Besides, their emissions are cited for worsening air quality, potentially causing respiratory ailments among villagers. In addition, the sole water source serving both villages is purportedly contaminated due to the coke oven operations.
Residents have expressed sharp discontent over the lack of effective action despite lodging repeated complaints with various authorities over the past three years.
They urged the MSPCB to take immediate measures, calling for the closure of these illegal plants and opposing the issuance of new licenses.
Meanwhile, a separate judicial committee constituted by the Meghalaya High Court unearthed another aspect of violations these plants were practicing.
The investigation found that royalty and cess over rupees two crore remained unpaid by three coke oven plants still operational in East Jaintia Hills.
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These plants in order to evade government dues sources coal unlawfully. Even after that investigation, several plants are still flouting the regulations.
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