Guwahati: A group of residents from villages surrounding the proposed Taj Cement plant at Sonapur on the outskirts of Assam’s capital city Guwahati have filed a complaint with the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) alleging procedural violations by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) Assam during the public hearing held on June 10, 2024.
The complaint centers on the timing and transparency of the public hearing process.
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The public hearing, held on June 10, 2024, concerned a 1 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) cement plant by Taj Cement. Petitioners claim the PCBA significantly exceeded the timeframe mandated for such hearings.
“The public hearing was conducted 106 days after Taj Cement’s application. The EIA Notification 2006 clearly states a 45-day limit. Such delays cast doubt on the fairness of the entire environmental assessment process,” said Batem Ali, a petitioner from Kapalkata village.
Beyond the timing concerns, the complaint alleges inadequate public notification of the hearing itself.
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“The lack of proper announcements deprived many from my village the chance to attend and voice their concerns,” said Maloti Das from Chamatapathar village.
Accessibility of the Draft EIA report, a crucial document for informed public participation, is also a point of contention.
While reportedly available at the office of the Sonapur Gaon Panchayat president, petitioners claim the office was inactive due to a vacancy in the position, effectively making the report unavailable to the public.
“This is a clear lapse in ensuring transparency and access to crucial information. The public cannot provide informed feedback if they don’t have access to the Draft EIA document locally,” said Rakesh Hazarika, another petitioner.
The petitioners are demanding action. They urge the SEIAA to investigate the alleged violations, re-conduct the public hearing with proper notice, ensure accessibility of the Draft EIA report, and consider appointing a different agency to oversee the fresh hearing process in place of the SPCB Assam.