Shillong, Mar 20: The single member committee headed by BP Katakey on coal issue appointed by the High Court has sought the intervention of the court for expeditious probe into illegal coal mining activities.
One of the recommendations by Katakey in his 21st interim report for consideration of the court was ‘expeditious completion of investigation into Khleihriat PS Case No. 87(11)2023 and all other PS cases relating to the illegal coal mining activities in the State of Meghalaya and filing of appropriate report before the appropriate courts of law.
The report was presented to the court on March 12.
Other recommendations reproduced below
“Extension of deadline for transportation of re-assessed/re-verified inventoried coal from pithead to the designated depot in South West Khasi Hills District, West Khasi Hills District and South Garo Hills District as the transit passes for most of the quantities of such coal found in such districts have already been issued and such coal is in transit to the designated depot. Moreover, in South West Khasi Hills District, two original coal owners having died in the meantime, persons claimed to be the legal heirs have requested time to produce the proof in support of that. However, in East Jaintia Hills District the remaining quantity of 1,34,608.662 MT of re-assessed/re-verified inventoried coal may be confiscated /seized in terms of the order dated 09/02/2024 passed by this Hon’ble High Court, as the coal owners stated to have not shown any interest for transportation to the designated depots.
Grant of further 30 days time to the successful auction purchasers of re-assessed/re-verified inventoried coal auctioned by the CIL, for deposit of the entire auction value, keeping in view the time required from the date of issuance of the notice for auction till lifting of the auctioned coal by the auction purchasers, and forfeiture of the earnest money in the event of failure to deposit such value within the said period of time and also to put such quantity of coal to re-auction.
Issuance of directions to the Deputy Commissioners and the Superintendents of Police of the concerned districts to ensure filing of the appropriate applications before the appropriate Courts of law for auction of the coal seized under the provisions of MMDR Act, so that entire such coal could be sold in public auction at the earliest.
Audit of MEPRF for verification as to whether the amount sanctioned and released by the Oversight Committee for implementation of different projects are utilized for the purpose for which it was released.
Completion of the process of the audit of source of coal used by the Ferro Alloy Plants and Captive Thermal Power Plants of the cement factories and to take the consequential action within a month.
Time bound implementation of the project of closure of mine pits which causes danger not only to the livestock but also to the villagers as those are available all over the mining areas of the aforementioned 4 districts and are not fenced.
Taking urgent steps for restoration of the damages caused to the environment by coal mining activities for which adequate fund is also available in MEPRF.
Directing the State Govt. to make immediate provisions for alternate livelihood for the families who have been impacted by the ban of illegal coal mining activities so as to dissuade them from indulging in the illegal mining activities and a large number of persons are/were involved in the coal mining activities in the State and the mining activities in terms of the provisions contained in the MMDR Act is yet to commence. .
Conduct of drone survey of the concerned districts, after transportation of entire re-assessed/re-verified inventoried coal to the designated depots, so as to find out availability of any more coal on the ground, which than are to be seized and sold under the provisions of the MMDR Act.
Urgent filing of appropriate application before the appropriate Court of law so as to put such coal, to be seized under the MMDR Act in public auction, subject to the order that may be passed.
