Meghalaya high court claims that the Meghalaya government may have disregarded illegal coke plant operators
Recently, the Meghalaya high court highlighted that the state government may have conspired with operators of illegal coke plants by circumventing orders. It appears to be a collaboration in the functioning of illegal coke plants.
A written petition has been submitted where it is clear that there are around 60 coke-making units in the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. Although, legally, there were only four granted units for consent to operate.
On August 18 2020, the Committee on Environment ran a spot inspection of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on all the coke manufacturing units in and around Shallang, West Khasi Hills district. It was then revealed that 16 coke-making units were operating illegally without any permission from the appropriate authorities.
The Meghalaya high court said, “All other coke plants, whatever the size and whoever may be directly or indirectly controlling the same, must be shut down as of today. The Chief Secretary will file a compliance report with the Registrar-General by December 19, 2022, confirming such position.”
Nevertheless, the court also directed the seizure of all raw materials and finished products from these illegal coke units. It stayed that “All Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the districts will confirm such a position by filing individual reports addressed to the chief secretary within a week from date.”
