SHILLONG, NOV 19: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Wednesday decided to examine the inquiry report before deciding to close-down the Meghalaya Agrovet Pvt Ltd in Ri Bhoi district for its alleged failure to follow the directives issued by the council.
In its order issued on September the KHADC had given days deadline to the poultry farming company – Meghalaya Agrovet Pvt Ltd to comply with direction of taking necessary measures to prevent its solid and liquid waste from polluting the River Umtrew.
KHADC had also asked the company to stop its operations till the time all measures were taken by it. The company has set up two of its units at Khliehumtrew and Mawthei which are located along the river Umtrew.
An inquiry was recently instituted by the KHADC after authorities of several villages have alleged that the company has completely failed to adhere with the order issued by KHADC.
“The inquiry report was submitted today and it will be examine by the district council before taking action of closing down the company,” said a KHADC executive member.According to him, the KHADC in its order has directed the company to put in place mechanism to control pollution to the river Umtrew by constructing Waste Treatment Plan, Drainage System and Biogas Unit.
“If we found out that the company has failed to comply with our directives, we will have no choice but to close down its operations immediately,” the EM said.
He further informed that till the time the company has completed complying with the order, we will then conduct a public hearing.
Earlier, a delegation of the Umsning Area Rivers Protection Forum (UARPF) comprising of KSU and headmen of over 14 affected villages on Wednesday sought the intervention of the KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum demanding the district council to immediately cancel the trading license of the Meghalaya Agrovet Pvt Ltd.
“We demand stern action against the company by cancelling its trading license,” chairman of forum Peter Kylla told reporters after the meeting. He said the coming of the company in the area has brought about difficulties to the people residing in the villages as they solely depends on water supply for different purposes from the river.
In addition, headman of Nongjri Ummawbuh N Nongsiej said that the pollution of the river by the company has also affected the health centre and schools in the 14 villages. He also alleged that the Umsning PHC has at one point of time failed to admit patients due to water problem since the water of Umtrew has been declared as unfit for any use.
Nongseij further alleged that the company is yet to get clearance from the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board and Forest department. He however expressed concern over the inaction of the deputy commissioner of Ri Bhoi district on the matter.
Nongseij alleged that the DC only delays the matter by constituting committees after committees but till date no action has been taken to address the problem.- By Our Reporter
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