Tribubal deadline to pollution board on mining

The National Green Tribunal today served a two-week deadline for the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board to file an affidavit with regard to regulation of mining activities in the state.
"By way of last opportunity, we (NGT) grant two weeks time to the Board to file reply. If reply is not filed, the Chairman of the Board shall remain present before the Tribunal on the next date of hearing," a five-member bench said in its order today.
The Bench has also fixed the next hearing to be held in Shillong on June 2 with several organisations including the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and businesses organisations have sought the tribunal's permission to be included as respondents.

The NGT, earlier put a blanket ban of unscientific mining of coal in the entire state based on an appeal by an Assam-based organisation on pollution of Kopili river which flowed from Jaintia Hills to Assam's Karbi Anglong district.
Prior to this, the tribunal had also asked the Mining and Geology department secretary to file a personal affidavit, giving complete picture on record to environment protection and anti-pollution devices.