Cancellation of NOCs by Jowai Dolloi, Mookhep dorbar prompts MSPCB action
Shillong, Apr 15: Following cancellation of NOCs given by traditional heads to a coke plant, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has directed the Om Om Coke to halt all construction activities for establishment of the factory at Thlukuru in East Jaintia Hills district.
No-objection certificates (NOCs) issued by dolloi Jowai Elaka and waheh shnong Mookhep were earlier withdrawn due to strong opposition from dorbar shnong of Wapungskur to the proposed coke factory, claiming jurisdiction over the plant site.
Acknowledging receipt of the revocation of NOCs issued by the dolloi Jowai Elaka and waheh shnong Mookhep, the MSPCB ordered halt to the construction activities of coke factory at Thlukuru Wah Tongtiang, East Jaintia Hills, MSPCB member secretary Dr GH Chyrmang said in a letter to Om Om Coke on Monday.
This decision was also conveyed to a delegation of the Wapungskur dorbar shnong, which has strongly demanded the immediate cancellation and revocation of the Consent to Establish (CTE) or any related document/license that have been granted to the company.
The delegation also warned of taking stern legal action if the company is allowed to set up the coke factory within its jurisdiction.
Following the opposition, the dolloi Jowai Elaka Puramon Kynjing on April 10 issued an order cancelling the NOC given to the coke plant. Earlier, headman of Mookhep village Denish Siangshai wrote a letter to the dolloi on April 4 for cancellation of the same.
Earlier, Wapungskur headman Postling Dkhar maintained there is no boundary dispute between Mookhep and Wapungskur. “Both the villages have proper boundaries. But it is clearly seen that the land where the proposed coke plant will be set up falls within the jurisdiction of Wapungskur,” he had said.
Further, the Wapungskur headman informed that the Chief Forest Officer (CFO) of Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) had assured the delegation of the dorbar shnong that the NOC and clearance issued by the Council will be immediately cancelled since the Om Om Coke had failed to submit proper documents.
Before the cancellation, the MSPCB had on March 7 granted CTE to Om Om Coke for setting up a Lam Coke manufacturing unit with one chimney at Thlakuru, Mookhep with a project cost of Rs 4.50 crore. The CTE was valid for a period up to February 28, 2026 unless otherwise suspended or revoked.
