Shillong, Oct 6: Minister in-charge Community & Rural Development (C&RD) Sosthenes Sohtun has called for a joint effort between Meghalaya and Assam to tackle the problem of air pollution.
Sohtun told reporters on Monday that he has been raising concerns about the pollution from industries in Byrnihat from time to time.
While noting that many factories have been closed down, he emphasized the need for a joint effort between Meghalaya and Assam to tackle the problem.
“The pollution that comes out is not only from Meghalaya. We have joint borders between Assam and Meghalaya. So, we cannot say that the pollution that comes out is from Meghalaya only,” Sohtun said, highlighting the complexity of the issue.
Sohtun stressed the importance of a joint survey between the two states to come up with a clear plan to reduce pollution.
“So until and unless a joint survey of the Meghalaya and Assam and comes out with the aims and objective to reduce the pollution then it will be difficult (to address the issue) if we cannot jointly take up this issue seriously,” he stated.
The minister assured that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) is taking stern action against factories that emit excessive pollution.
Byrnihat has been grappling with severe air pollution, with the town recently being ranked as the world’s most polluted city by IQAir.
The Meghalaya government has taken steps to address the issue, including shutting down industrial units that violate pollution norms and imposing environmental compensation on non-compliant industries.
Meanwhile, Sohtun has outlined his priorities as the Minister in-charge of C&RD department by emphasizing the need for efficient administration to connect with people, particularly in rural areas.
He however said the decision as to who should be in the cabinet is the prerogative of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma.
 Sosthenes Sohtun has called for a joint effort between Meghalaya and Assam to tackle the problem of air pollution.){kind=link}