Shillong, Sept 19: State will file its response in the Supreme Court by October 8 on environmental issues due to cutting of hills in Ri Bhoi & East Khasi Hills with particular reference to USTM.
The report of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court had pointed out illegal mining and hill cutting in Ri Bhoi and wanted USTM to pay Rs 150 crore for using forest land.
An official source said, “We are in the process of studying and formulating our stand on the report of the CEC and it will be finalized by nex”.The CEC had overlooked, like the state being a Sixth Scheduled area. The district councils have the mandate and everything cannot be done only by the state government.
“Those things we have to highlight and so we are in the process of studying and formulating our strategy and we will seek some modification as required,” the source added.
The source also said that the CEC report is only a recommendation and the Supreme Court will give its order.
It also added that whatever recommendation of the CEC it should be suitable to the conditions in Meghalaya being a Sixth Scheduled state and institutions like district councils exist.
“Any solutions which may be possible in other states may not be possible here. So all those things are to be apprised” sources added.
