Shillong, Oct 28: The Meghalaya High Court on Monday heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the issue of Illegal Mining of Coal in Meghalaya.
During the hearing, the state government who is the respondent presented a Status Report on behalf of the 24th and 25th Interim Reports submitted by Justice (Retd.) B.P. Katakey Committee.
During the hearing, the High Court was informed about the actions taken by the State in implementing the recommendations that have been made by the Committee.
“This Court, however, notes that there are still areas of concern, which need to be addressed urgently by the State,” a Division bench of the High Court observed.
The first issue is with regard to the survey by Satellite imagery of the coal bearing areas, wherein it is reported that NESAC, which had been requested to undertake the project, has expressed its disability due to unavailability of high resolution Indian satellites.
“As seen from the recommendations of the Committee, it is absolutely necessary that imagery of the coal bearing areas be documented,” the High Court stated.
The State’s Advocate General on this issue has apprised the Court that the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority may be engaged by the State respondents in this regard, to take up this task.
According to the High Court, the second aspect which is seen in the Status Report that needs urgent attention, is the conduct of inspection and verification by the State respondents on the allegations of fresh illegal coal mining in South West Khasi Hills District.
In the 25th Interim Report filed by the Committee, this has been highlighted, and the recommendation is for monitoring and for checking at regular intervals, which appears to be difficult as per the reports of the Additional Deputy Commissioner, filed before the Committee, wherein it has been stated that “there are also countless abandoned coal mines, some of which could be easily activated in a very short time period”.
It is also stated in the report that technical and logical support be provided to enable sealing of entrance to these mines by explosives to prevent reactivation.
The High Court also stated that another area which deserves attention is with the setting up of Smart Integrated Check Gates in Borsora, Bagli and Cherragoan.
The recommendations of the Committee, as per the State Government has not yet been implemented, due to the unavailability of a suitable location to establish the said Smart Integrated Check Gate.
As per the Status Report, a suggestion is given that a designated route be identified, for transporters to use, failure of which the coal would be seized, the High Court stated that this also is yet to be acted upon, by the State Government.
The High Court also stated that in the next hearing, it should be apprised with regard to the demurrage charges that have been levied, and the inventoried coal that is still remaining to be transported.
The next hearing in the case has been fixed for December 2, 2024.