Imphal: The Directorate of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Government of Manipur, has sent a show-cause notice to as many as seven stone crushers units at Moidangpok and its adjoining areas in Imphal West district for illegal operating over the last few years.
The notice, which was sent last Friday, came 5 days after an inspection by a team of Industry officials and members of the JAC against the polluting factories/industries in the area.
The seven stone crushing units are Aheibam Shanta Singh, Aheibam Leikai, Moidangpok; Khuraijam Nabakumar, Khuraijam Leikai, Kwakeithel; Oinam Sanatomba Singh, Tera Yengkhom Leirak; Yengkhom Sharjit Singh, Khoyathong Polem Leika; Yenkhom Santosh, Khoyanthong, Polem Leikai; N Okendro Singh, Tera Sapam Leirak and Shambu Limbu, New Keithelmanbi, Imphal West district.
Stating these units were operating without a valid factory licence, the directorate directed them to submit their rejoinder within 15 days failing which legal proceedings will be initiated ex-parte.
The Directorate also warned that it will proceed with legal proceedings against these seven persons with penalty under Section 92 of the Factories Act, 1948 for illegal operating.
Earlier, Phulchand Singh, Officer In-charge, Internal Task Force, Directorate of Trade, Commerce and Industry, said that there are certain guidelines which include the prohibition of establishing a factory or industry at the radius of 500 metres from the main road/highway or 300 metres from the nearest school. However, all every industry/factory in this area did not follow any of the guidelines of the government, he added.
It may be mentioned that last week, JAC Against Polluting Factories/Industries in and around Moidangpok, Moidangpok Khunou and New Keithelmanbi alleged that these units were operating day and night without remorse, least mindful of the hazardous effect on the villagers.
The pollution discharged from these units has also affected the entire areas. Almost all the paddy fields are finding it difficult to survive, irrigation facilities have been blocked, they charged, and added that these stone crushers were removing earth and stone from the reserved forest areas as raw material.
