Shillong: The Justice Katakey committee has recommended a series of stern actions against relentless illegal coal miners in Meghalaya.
The committee’s efforts are part of broader compliance with directives from the National Green Tribunal, the Supreme Court, and the Meghalaya High Court, aiming to ensure transparency of coal transportation from Meghalaya.
The Justice Katakey committee has now directed the Meghalaya Government to take swift and decisive measures to curb illegal coal mining in the state.
In its 26th interim report, Justice Katakey committee recommended a series of actions, including aerial survey, sealing of coal mine openings, and implementing alternative livelihood schemes for coal mine owners.
The committee emphasized on the need for an aerial survey to identify illegally mined coal stored outside designated depots.
The interim report of the committee highlighted the availability of coal outside the designated depots, which indicated continued illegal mining, sale, and transportation despite the NGT ban.
The committee called for strict enforcement of the provisions of the MMDR Act, and directed the Meghalaya Government to immediately seize the illegally mined coal, and to sell it through public auctions.
It also reported that a large number of mine openings in Meghalaya, and directed the government to initiate the process of sealing them as soon as possible.
Satellite images available with the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) indicated that the East Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya has over 22,000 mine openings.
The committee is of the opinion that many of the mine openings are either active, abandoned, or can be reactivated.
The process of sealing of the mine openings may take a very long time if it is not started effectively and diligently, the committee observed.
The committee also recommended the immediate sale of coal seized under the MMDR Act.
The interim report of the committee also suggested immediate shifting of the seized coal to centralized depots to prevent theft or disappearance in Meghalaya.
It also asked the Coal India Limited to initiate auctions of re-verified and reassessed coal inventories in Meghalaya, in line with the Supreme Court’s order dated July 3, 2019.
The committee asked the Meghalaya Government to provide schemes as alternative source of livelihood for the coal mine owners and the workers.
Proper implementation of the livelihood projects will deter coal miners from resorting to illegal activities for survival, the report said.
