Shillong, Apr 9: The strong opposition to a proposed coke plant in Wapungskur village in East Jaintia Hills is likely to result in cancellation of NOCs already issued to the plant by two local entities.
According to Wapungskur dorbar shnong, which has been spearheading the protest against the plant, the Dolloi of Jowai Elaka, Puramon Kynjing, on Wednesday assured to cancel the NOC issued by him and ask the headman of nearby Mookhep village to cancel his NOC to the plant, Om Om Coke, as well.
Speaking to reporters, Wapungskur headman Postling Dkhar said the dorbar shonong got the assurance from the Dolloi during a meeting with him at Jowai on Wednesday.
“Today we met the Dolloi of Elaka Jowai and we are happy that we got a positive response from him,” he said.
The Dolloi told the delegation of dorbar shnong that he would write a letter to Mookhep headman to immediately cancel the NOC for the coke plant and another letter to departments concerned to inform about cancellation of the NOC issued by him.
According to the dorbar shnong, East Jaintia Hills deputy commissioner too had directed the departments concerned to keep the coke plant proposal in abeyance in view of the opposition and till the matter is resolved.
“However, we want to make it very clear that even if the matter is resolved, we will not allow setting up of any coke plant within the jurisdiction of Wapungskur,” Dkhar said.
He also asserted that the area of the proposed plant falls under Wapungskur and not Mookhep.
Meanwhile, Chief Forest Officer (CFO) of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) also assured to withdraw the clearance issued by the Council since the Om Om Coke had failed to submit proper documents, according to the headman.
Earlier, dorbar shnong had petitioned the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), which had on March 7 granted the consent to establish (CoE) to Om Om Coke for setting up the plant with a project cost of Rs 4.50 crore.
According to the dorbar shnong, the MSPCB had assured it of conducting a spot inspection before taking a final call on the matter.
