The Meghalaya High Court has pulled up the state government over the disappearance of more than 4,000 tonnes of coal, directing strict action against officials responsible for the lapse. The coal was in Ranikor Block of South West Khasi Hills district.
During a hearing on Monday, the court expressed concern over the missing coal, which was supposed to be under government custody. It asked the state to identify and take action against those accountable for the loss.
Reacting to the controversy, Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla suggested that heavy rainfall in the state might have contributed to the disappearance. “Meghalaya receives one of the highest amounts of rainfall, so anything could happen. It could be that the rain carried it away, but I cannot say for sure,” Shylla told reporters.
He, however, added that he did not have details to confirm whether the disappearance was due to natural causes or illegal activities. “There should not be any illegal practice when it comes to transportation or mining. Everything should be as per law,” the minister said.
The court’s directive comes amid long-standing concerns over illegal coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya, despite a National Green Tribunal ban on rat-hole mining in the state.
A High Court bench led by Justice HS Thangkhiew had directed the state to identify individuals and officials responsible for allowing the illegal transport of coal. The 31st interim report submitted by the Justice (Rtd) BP Katakey Committee is monitoring coal mining and transportation in the state.
According to the report, the missing 4,000 tonnes of coal had earlier been officially surveyed and recorded, raising serious questions about illegal transportation for which Meghalaya has long been infamous.
The ban on coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya was imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014, following widespread concern over unregulated and hazardous mining practices, particularly the controversial ‘rat-hole’ mining technique prevalent in East Jaintia Hills.
