SHILLONG, OCT 21: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Thursday expressed strong opposition against the setting up of coke factories in South West Khasi Hills district.
A joint delegation of the KSU central body and South West Khasi Hills district also submitted memorandums to the Director of Commerce and Industries & Member Secretary, Single Window Agency and the Member Secretary of Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board for their necessary interventions.
“(We) convey our stiff opposition to any clearances, if issued, by any government agencies to coke factories…We would like to urge your office as the nodal authority of this Committee to kindly stop all the related-activities or any decision to facilitate setting up of coke factories in South West Khasi Hills District,” KSU-SWKHD president Forwardman Nongrem stated in the memorandum.
He alleged that there are certain persons/companies who are intending to set up coke factories in the coal rich areas of the district.
“In pursuance to this objective, they are currently trying to obtain No objection certificates and clearances from various government authorities,” he added.
Nongrem said the KSU demanded the Single Window Agency and other governmental organizations to refrain themselves from taking any decisions to facilitate the expeditious issue of all clearances or approvals required from the various departments and agencies of the state government to any entrepreneur applying for setting up of coke factories in the region on grounds of environmental concern and in order to prevent any harmful effects of human activities on the biophysical environment.
“We also feel that the Single Window Agency and other governmental organisations should decline themselves from providing assistance to any applicants who are presently trying to obtain clearances from other bodies/ organisation of the state on this matter,” he added.
He further stated that coke factories are categorised as Hazardous Process Industries as these industries have a devastating both short and long-term impact on the environment adding the toxic emission which arises in the operation of these plants will, undoubtedly, cause severe health issues to the indigenous residents
Stating that land and water pollution in the area is a prominent crisis but somehow the people are able to manage with such a crisis as of now, Nongrem said, “So, any legalisation of Coke Factories in the area is like rubbing salt into the wound and thereby, place the life of the rural populace in grave danger.”
By Our Reporter
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