Margherita brick kilns owners warned to observe operational guidelines

A CORRESPONDENT

DOOMDOOMA: In response to allegations lodged by All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASAA) against brick kilns proprietors of Margherita Sub-division for non-compliance of its operational guidelines, a meeting was convened on Monday, at the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Margherita. The meeting was chaired by Palash Rajkumar Ahom, ACS, ADC. Margherita and was attended by Circle Officer, Runal Nath, ALRS, Siddhartha Sh. Sonowal, ACS, Assistant Commissioner, Margherita, proprietors of the brick-kilns, and members of AASAA.

ADC Palash Rajkumar Ahom, addressed the grievances laid out by the members of AASAA such as non-compliance of norms set up by the central and state agencies in the functioning of the brick-kilns. The ADC reflected on the fact that the manufacturing of the bricks was vital for the growth of infrastructure and economy of the sub-division but the unplanned and unauthorized kilns have an adverse effect on the environment as well as on the human population.

He asked the proprietors to comply with the guidelines for operation prescribed by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi & Pollution Control Board, Assam as issued from time to time such as Brick Kilns Establishment & Regulation Rules, 2013 and look into the parameters such as location, as the kilns should be constructed away from the residential areas depending on the population of the area, schools, hospital, public building, religious place or a place where flammable substances are stored, the river bank and path of any natural water flow as well as a riverbank, waterfront of beels, lakes, railway tracks, etc.

The ADC, pointed out that the damages should be minimized and green belt development should be done by the proprietors of kilns and scientific methods employed for lesser land and air pollution. The proprietors were asked to pay heed to the legal provisions of employing no child labourers and provide medical facilities along with proper wages to the labourers. The ADC also asked the kilns owners to appoint drivers having driving licence to ply the bricks-laden vehicles and mitigate accidents occurring due to irresponsible driving and malfunctioning and overloading of vehicles. If possible, the ADC requested the proprietors to engage themselves in social responsibilities for the betterment of society.

The Circle Officer, Runal Nath asked the proprietors to update all their documents and renew their licenses in case, it lapsed. No kilns would be allowed to function with a lapsed license, he said by adding that the brick kilns shall be allowed only on non-agricultural land certified by the Revenue department of the administration. The members of the AASAA pointed out that many such brick kilns were functioning without paying attention to the adverse impact that it had on the environment and the population by flouting the guidelines. Raja Kujur, AASAA, President, Tinsukia District, requested the administration to take cognizance of their grievances which was for the overall benefit of the sub-division.

ADC Palash Rajkumar Ahom, warned the proprietors and gave them forty-five days from today, to rectify their mistakes and shortcomings in the functioning of the kilns and comply with the guidelines. Inspection at the end of 45 days will be done by the administration. Lastly, the ADC i/c thanked everyone for attending the meeting and said that careful considerations could go a long way in maintaining the economy in terms of providing employment to the labourers and boosting infrastucture while taking care of the environment and human life.

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