Shillong, July 22: The Supreme Court of India on Friday imposed an interim stay on the order of the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaiñtia Hills District in demolition of coke plants in East Jaintia Hills District.
The SC issued the order during the hearing of the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 720/2023 between Druk Fuels Limited versus State of Meghalaya.
The SC order stated, “Demolition of coke plants, as directed by the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District shall remain stayed. However, the said Deputy Commissioner shall be at liberty to seal the coke plants premises, which shall remain non-operational.”
Mentionably, East Jaintia Hills district administration demolished the chimneys of two more coke factories on July 12, 2023, which had been constructed without the required consent to establish (CTE) from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB).
The demolition operation was supervised by J Shylla, the additional deputy commissioner, and carried out by a specialised team comprising representatives from the East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police office, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, and the District Commerce and Industries Centre.
The two illegal coke factories that faced demolition were identified as M/S Halari Coke Plant and M/S Shauryansi Coke, both located within the Sutnga elaka.
The decision to undertake this action was prompted by an Office Order dated July 7 and July 11, recently issued by the office of Deputy Commissioner, A Baranwal. The order was initiated due to concerns that these under-construction factories might resort to clandestine operations, utilising locally sourced coal and potentially facilitating illegal coal mining within the district.
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