Shillong, March 8: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday told the House that illegal coke factories were operating in West Khasi Hills.

Replying to a query during the ongoing Budget Session, Chief Minister informed the House that a joint inspection was carried out on January 15 by the concerned authorities, and based on the report submitted by the team, it was confirmed that illegal coke factories are operating in West Khasi Hills district.

“All illegal factories are closed. We detected 21 coke factories out of which four are legal, and 17 are illegal,” Sangma said.

He further informed that out of the 17 illegal coke factories, 10 received single-window clearances and are awaiting Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) under the Air & Water Act.

“Seven others are completely illegal,” he said.

Responding to questions raised by Umroi MLA George Lyngdoh, Sangma said the coal used in the legal factories was ‘legally’ transported from Assam and West Bengal and through coal auctions by the State Government.

The opposition Congress has demanded the state government to dismantle all illegal coke factories operating in the state.

“I demand that these illegal coke factories should be dismantled, a message should be sent to the people that anything set up illegally will not be allowed,” Congress MLA from Umroi, George B Lyngdoh said while raising concern over the issue during the question hour in the Assembly on Monday.

He said the disparity in taking action is creating a lot of confusion in the minds of the people while expressing concern over delay to act against the illegal coke factories.