SHILLONG, OCT 28: The United Democratic Party (UDP) accused KHADC officials of using Meghalaya Agrovet Limited vehicle for investigation into the alleged pollution of a river by the said company that affected villages in Ri Bhoi District.
“The officials of the council, who are entrusted with the task to investigate into the allegation, were found to be using the vehicle Inova (ML 05 7070) belonging to the chairman of the company,” UDP MDC Donkupar Sumer said while moving a zero hour notice during the session on Wednesday.
Sumer said with such abuse of power by the officials, how one can expect to get a fair investigation adding “The council is requested to take action against such officers.”
KHADC had instituted a committee to probe into the several complaints received against the poultry company for allegedly releasing affluent to the river directly, which is main source of drinking water for villages under Umsning and Mawhati constituencies.
“Even the report by the PHE department has declared the water unfit for human consumption,” Sumer said while adding that the bio gas plants installed in the factory cannot control the affluent from flowing to the river.
He also alleged that the company is operating in two places – Tdohumsniang and Mawbthei with only one trading license adding the presence of the company has also taken away the livelihood of local unemployed youths.
In his reply, the Executive Member in-charge Trade James Sylliang informed that the council is yet to receive any application regarding the unit of the company in Mawbthei and it is yet to renew the trading license for the unit at Tdohumsniang.
He however refuted the allegation that the council’s officials are using a vehicle provided by the company.
“It is not true that our staffs had used the vehicle of the company. In fact we have sent them with our own vehicle for conducting the inspection to the company,” Sylliang said.
Stating that till today the council has not move to grant trading license to the company, he said, “Because the matter still require the department to examine.”
He also informed that the council has received the documents of the Rangbah Shnong of Umsning who have withdrawn the protest against the company in December last year.
However, the council would soon convene a public hearing before taking any decision on the matter, the EM assured.- By Our Reporter
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