Shillong, Sep 25: The state government will take a decision on allegations of encroachment of forest land by the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) after examining report of an expert committee to examine the matter.
The expert committee headed by the Ri Bhoi Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and comprising members from the Pollution Control Board, Mining and Geology department, and district administration, has been directed to submit its probe report by October 15.
Its task is to inspect the sites and provide a detailed report on the alleged encroachment of forest land by USTM.
“Let us wait and see the report and once we get the report, we will be able to tell you (on the action to be taken by the state government),” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters on Wednesday.
He also expressed caution against hasty decisions, stating that simply shutting down everything without thorough examination would be incorrect.
“But, I personally feel that if you just blindly say that you have to close down everything, I think that is wrong,” Tynsong stated.
The expert committee was constituted following the report of a Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) which has recommended a penalty of Rs 150 crore on USTM for allegedly diverting forest land without necessary approvals.
The CEC’s report also highlighted that USTM has encroached upon nearly 25 hectares of forest land in Ri Bhoi district, violating the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
The committee had urged the Supreme Court to direct USTM to restore the affected areas to their original forest condition within a year and pay the penalty.
