HC files PIL over cleanliness in Shillong

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG, June 20:  The Meghalaya High Court on Tuesday has taken suo motu cognizance on the issue of lack of cleanliness in Shillong city.
“Having taken note of various requirements of the tasks related with magement of cleanliness and hygienic conditions in and around the city of Shillong which, indisputably, is found wanting in several areas and scores, it appears appropriate to independently deal with the matter in a separate Suo Moto PIL,” a single bench of the Meghalaya High Court said.
The separate suo moto PIL filed by the High Court relates to issues of efficient magement of cleanliness and hygienic conditions in and around the city of Shillong.
The State of Meghalaya through its Chief Secretary, Shillong Municipal Board through its Chief Executive Officer, Meghalaya Urban Development Authority through its Secretary, Shillong Cantonment Board through its Chief Executive Officer, and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council through its Secretary would be the respondents.
During the last hearing on June 1, the High Court had asked the state government to form a Supervisory Committee to oversee and monitor the magement of cleanliness in and around the city of Shillong.
During the hearing on Tuesday, the High Court had come down heavily on the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) for failing to attend the meetings of the panel formed on the direction of the Court.
“It appears prima facie that one of the important role players, Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council has shown scant respect to the requirements of this Committee constituted by the Government under the directions of this Court. It is noticed that in the meetings dated 12.06.2017 and 16.06.2017, the Secretary, KHADC remained absent though he has been included as a member of the said Committee. This approach on the part of the KHADC remains seriously questioble and calls for appropriate orders,” the High Court said.
During the hearing, as per the additiol affidavit of the Joint Secretary in its Urban Affairs Department, the government informed that the Committee met on June 6, June 12 and then on June 16 under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya. The minutes of the Committee as drawn prima facie show that serious attempts are now being made to ensure synergy of the different role players to maintain cleanliness in the city and to attend on all the tasks related with it. However, it appears that there are still several aspects that need to be constantly monitored.