Shillong Aug 31: The National Green Tribunal is likely to direct the Meghalaya government to be the custodial of all extracted coal in the state.

The NGT made its stand clear in view of the fact that extracted coal is yet to finish in the state, though the Tribunal had on many occasions allowed transportation of assessed extracted coal in the state.

During the hearing held in New Delhi on Friday, sources said that the NGT wanted to constitute a committee to supervise and look into the issue of environmental restoration plan and other connected matters in Meghalaya.

The committee should be headed by a retired judge of High Court, adding that the Green Court also wanted to direct the Meghalaya government to be the custodial of all extracted coal in the state till further judicial order.

The ban on coal mining in Meghalaya was imposed by the NGT since April 17, 2014.

The ban came after a petition was filed by the All Dimasa Students’ Union and the Dima Hasao District Committee from Assam alleging that coal mining in Meghalaya was carried out in a most illegal and unscientific manner.