Shillong: Meghalaya High Court’s Justice BP Katakey committee has ordered the immediate release of funds for the demolition of 33 illegal Coke Oven Plants in East Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills districts, citing cooncers over potential covert production.
As per reports, the committee directed the District Administration of East Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills to demolish the 16 Coke Oven Plants in East Jaintia Hills and 17 Coke Oven Plants in West Khasi Hills, citing the possibility of stealthy production.
The move is in compliance with the Supreme Court’s order dated November 25, 2024, in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 720/2023 [Druk Fuel Limited -Vs- The State of Meghalaya and Others].
In his 34th interim report submitted to the Meghalaya High Court, Justice BP Katakey directed the Directorate to Mineral Resources (DMR) for immediate release of funds to the respective district administration to demolish the coke plants.
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“The Committee recommends immediate release of the required fund to the District Administration of East Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills District for demolition of the aforementioned 16 Coke Oven Plants in East Jaintia Hills District and 17 Coke Oven Plants in West Khasi Hills District and also to demolish the said 33 Coke Oven Plants, immediately, on receiving the fund…. so as to rule out the possibility of the commencement of the production stealthily.”
Reportedlu, an estimated fund of Rs. 42,50,000 is required for the demolition of 17 coke plants in the West Khasi Hills district.
Katakey also asked the district magistrates and district police chiefs of East Jaintia Hills and in West Khasi Hills to ensure that these plants are not operating till demolition.
“The Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the said districts shall ensure that the plants are not operating till demolition,” it stated.
