Gauhati High Court

Shillong, June 29: Gauhati High Court has directed the Centre to look into the allegations that cement plants in Jaintia Hills district have flouted environmental norms.

The Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF), a social organisation, had filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court regarding alleged gross violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, by cement companies in Jaintia Hills in course of limestone mining over forest areas taken on lease from local indigenous people.

The apex court, in its ruling dated on April 16 this year, disposed of the PIL with a provision for the federation to file the petition before an appropriate court first.

Accordingly, the federation filed a fresh PIL before Gauhati High Court seeking injunction against carrying on work of establishing and operating limestone mines in violation of the Forest Act, and Supreme Court ruling in the T.N. Godavarman versus the Centre case.

The Union of India, state of Meghalaya and nine cement companies including Star Cement, Topcem, Taj Cement, Best Cement, Green Valley Industries (P) Ltd, Amrit Cement Industries Ltd, Adhunik Cement Ltd, Cosmos Cement Ltd.and Goldstone Cement, in Jaintia hills, are among other respondents.

The case was listed before Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court A.K. Goel and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, while taking cognisance of the issue raised in the petition on June 21.

Before examining the issues raised, the court directed secretary, Union ministry of environment and forests, to look into the matter relating to violation of law alleged.

Directions were also given to take steps in the matter within three months and the report had to be submitted to the court.

According to the federation president P. Majaw, the high court had also appointed B.C. Das as learned amicus.

The next hearing has been fixed on October 10, 2012, he said.