Shillong, March 1:The Comptroller and Auditor General of India( CAG) may scrutinize compensation to the miners affected due to illegal coal mining in Mynsngat-Thangsko, if one goes by an audit report of 2023 placed before the Assembly on February 27 related to two previous incidents.
According to the CAG report for March 31, 2023, the State Disaster Response Fund ( SDRF) was released to the 14 families of the deceased and five injured in the mining mishap in Rongsa Awe in South Garo Hills, and to 18 families of those who died in the tragedy in Ksan, East Jaintia Hills.
As per the CAG report, total compensation of Rs 1.07 was paid to the affected from the SDRF, which is against its guidelines as the incidents were due to illegal coal mining.
The CAG report said as per Sl. No. 1 (a) of Items & Norms of Assistance from SDRF, the ex-gratia payment can be made to families of deceased persons at the rate of Rs 4 lakh per deceased person, including those involved in relief operations or associated in preparedness activities, subject to certification regarding cause of death from the appropriate authority. Further, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), had on April 17, 2014, prohibited coal mining activities in Meghalaya.
“Test check of records of the Commissioner & Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department revealed that ex-gratia payment was made in July 2019 to 14 victims who died and five persons who suffered injury during the course of illegal coal mining activities at Mengkulgittim of Rongsa Awe Village under South Garo Hills. The total amount of ex gratia paid was Rs 16,50,000. Further, it was noticed that ex gratia payment was made to 18 persons who died at Ksan coal mines at the rate of Rs 5 lakh per person.
The amount is Rs 90,00,000.
Both the payments ( Rs 1.07 crore) were met from the funds available with SDRF”, the CAG noted.
The report pointed out that, consequently, extending relief to 37 individuals involved in illegal activities stands in stark contradiction to the SDRF guidelines. Comments of the Department were called for (November 2022). The department in the reply stated that the mishap happened because of flooding in the coal mines due to excessive rainfall, and the matter would be placed before the State Executive Committee (SEC) for regularisation.
“The justification provided by the department is not acceptable as incidents or accidents occurring within coal mines do not fall within the purview of notified natural calamities as outlined in the guidelines; and the State Executive Committee (SEC) is not mandated to regularise an expenditure incurred for supporting any activity declared illegal by NGT”, said the CAG
Sources said since the compensation was also promised to the families affected due to illegal coal mining on February 5 this year at Mynsngat-Thangsko, this may also come under its scrutiny.
