Shillong: As the Meghalaya High Court raised serious concerns over the disappearance of more than 4,000 tonnes of coal from storage sites in Rajaju and Diengngan villages, state Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla on Monday speculated that heavy rainfall might have been a factor behind the loss.
The court, which had issued a directive to the state government on July 25, has asked for strict action against officials under whose watch the coal went missing.
The case has intensified scrutiny over alleged irregularities in coal storage and transportation in the state.
“Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall. There is a strong possibility that the coal might have been washed away due to the rain,” Shylla told reporters.
However, he was quick to clarify that he was not offering a justification, noting that there is no definitive evidence yet to confirm the cause of the disappearance.
“I cannot place the blame solely on rainfall. It may or may not be the reason. At this point, I do not have the full details,” the minister said.
Shylla stressed that all coal-related activities must comply with legal norms, and that government departments must act to prevent illegal mining and transport.
Responding to reports of continued illegal mining in parts of Meghalaya, he said allegations must be backed by solid proof and acknowledged that enforcement involves multiple agencies.
“But I do feel that if some individuals are still engaging in it, it might be due to the need for survival. Otherwise, nobody deliberately wants to harm the state,” he said.
The minister expressed hope that with the government’s push for scientific mining, people will respect the law and avoid activities that invite legal scrutiny.
“We all welcome the move towards scientific mining. We want it to succeed and I believe the people will cooperate,” he added.
Coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya have been under a ban since 2014, when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) prohibited the practices citing rampant environmental violations and unsafe mining techniques, particularly the controversial rat-hole mining prevalent in East Jaintia Hills.
Separately, Shylla also addressed complaints over the dust and debris caused by ongoing highway construction along National Highway 6 in East Jaintia Hills.
“I appreciate the government’s efforts. It may be inconvenient now, but once the project is completed, the public will benefit,” he said.
