Shillong, Sept 18:The court-appointed committee headed by BP Katakey in its 25th report wanted standard operating procedure ( SOP) to prevent illegal transportation of coal.
Summary of Recommendations :
The Committee recommends taking of immediate decision on notification of the SoP so as to prevent transportation of coal illegally mined in the State of Meghalaya in the guise of coal brought from outside the State of Meghalaya to the State and also to other States as well as to Bangladesh through the State of Meghalaya.
The Committee, therefore, recommends identification of suitable land for setting up of the smart integrated exist check gate, which is very much necessary for the purpose of implementation of the aforementioned SoP and to ensure that no coal mined in the State of Meghalaya illegally, cross the border of the State of Meghalaya.
The Committee, therefore, recommends conduct of aerial survey of the concerned areas in regular intervals, to monitor and find out illegal coal mining activities, if any, and to take appropriate action in terms of the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act, 1957).
The Committee, in view of the aforesaid communication dated 09/08/2024 issued by NESAC, recommends arranging of a meeting by the Mining and Geology Department, Govt. of Meghalaya, of the Committee with the Director and other concerned officials of NESAC urgently to find out the ways and means of having the aerial survey for the aforementioned purpose
The Committee recommends filing of appropriate applications before the appropriate Courts of law seeking permission to put the quantity of coal, in respect of which the auction purchasers did not deposit the entire bid value, to re-auction.
The aforementioned recommendations made in this 25th Interim Report may kindly be considered by this Hon’ble Court along with the recommendations made in the 24th Interim Report dated 14/08/2024.
