Shillong, Dec 8: The state will implement the action plan against the offending coke oven units within a month’s time. This was informed before the Meghalaya High Court, which heard a PIL pertaining to the matter, here on Thursday.

The Advocate-General informed that an action plan in terms of the relevant NGT order has been framed on November 23, 2022 and such plan is expected to be implemented within a month from the date of its notification.

It must be observed that the order passed by the NGT on July 8, 2022 called upon the State to take appropriate action to frame an action plan regarding the offending coke oven units established prior to December 23, 2020 to make them compliant of the siting norms laid down in the notification dated December 23, 2020.

The said order of the NGT was clear in indicating that “Such Action Plan and its implementation shall be carried out within a period of four months.”

The Court however said clearly, the State is in breach as the action plan was prepared beyond the period of four months and its implementation is expected to be completed, if at all, by December 22, 2022, without seeking any extension of time or leave from the NGT.

It also hoped that the state will take appropriate steps to comply with the direction of the NGT order of July 8, to recover environmental compensation according to procedure established by law.

The Court further directed the MSPCB to also maintain a strict vigil to ensure that the environmental norms are not violated and, if violated, immediate appropriate action is taken.

Referring to the suo motu proceedings pertaining to illegal coal-mining in the State and the failure to comply with the directions issued by the NGT and the Supreme Court, the Court said it was noticed that in addition to the quantum of previously illegally mined coal that had been seized, a large amount of coal was available.

It said since the additional amount of coal has obviously been mined illegally as no licence in such regard has yet been issued by the State, the State has been called upon to take appropriate steps for disposal of both the previously illegally mined coal and the illegally mined coal subsequent to 2016 or thereabouts.

In such connection, the order passed on the matter on December 7, noticed that there were several coke oven plants and ferro alloy plants in operation without the source of coal obtained by such plants being indicated or otherwise available.

The State has been called upon to ascertain the source of coal used by such coke oven plants and ferro alloy plants so that the rampant illegal coal-mining that continues in the State and continues to be reported in the press is arrested, it said.

Meanwhile, the Court further maintained that there is no prohibition on the mining of coal as long as it is done in accordance with law.

However, it is the clear stand of the State that no licence for mining coal has yet been issued though applications in such regard have been forwarded to the relevant Ministry of the Union and such applications are in the process of being vetted, it said.

The Advocate-General informed that a civil appeal has been carried to the Supreme Court from the NGT order of July 8, 2022.

Notice has been issued on the prayer for stay of the operation of the order made before the Supreme Court. The matter is due to appear on December 12. However, there does not appear to be any stay in operation at the moment.

The next hearing will be held on February 27.