Katakey panel recommends closure of 19 coke plants

The Single Member Committee constituted by the Meghalaya High Court has recommended closure of over 19 coke oven plants in three districts.

“The Committee, therefore, recommends issuance of directions to the Deputy Commissioners of East Jaintia Hills District, West Khasi Hills District and South West Khasi Hills District to ensure closure of said 19 coke oven plants (as per the particulars provided by the Member Secretary, MSPCB vide communication dated 02/02/2024), till they possess the valid CTO,” Justice (retd) BP Katakey said in his twentieth interim report submitted to the court.  

The Committee also recommended initiation of appropriate proceedings for realization of the royalty and cess demanded from 3 coke oven plants, which have so far either not responded to the demand notices or not paid the amount demanded.

The Mining and Geology Department has apprised the Committee about the on-going process of audit of source of coal and coke of Ferro Alloy Plants and Captive Power Plants of cement factories in the State, which is expected to be completed within a month.

The Committee has also been apprised that during the audit of source of coal of the Coke Oven Plants in the State, following 8 coke oven plants found to have sourced part of their total requirement of coal to the illegal source, for which the royalty and cess have not been paid and accordingly, demand notices have been issued, out of which while 5 coke oven plants have paid the royalty and cess as demanded, 1 coke oven plant has expressed its willingness to pay the amount and other 2 coke oven plants did not respond to the demand notices.

A total of Rs 2,40,31,841 royalty and cess demanded has not been paid by the three coke oven plants which include Syrpai at Rs 15,99,459, Abhi Coke at Rs 1,02,36,107 and Jaintia Coke Pvt. Ltd at Rs 1,21,96,275.

Rs 11,04,445.35 royalty and cess demanded has been paid by the five coke oven plants.