Illegal coal transportation
SHILLONG: Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Thursday said that illegal transportation of coal was not his department’s concern.
Talking to media persons here, Dhar refused to comment on the alleged illegal activity in the state saying the matter concerns other departments and not his.
Earlier, however, the minister had said that whenever instances of illegal transportation of coal came to the notice of the department, it took action as per procedure. “My department’s job is to check the load in different places particularly at check gates”, he said.
When asked if he welcomes the recent Lokayukta’s order for CBI inquiry into allegations of illegal coal transportation, he said that whatever the chief minister decides will be final.
Instances of rampant illegal transportation of coal have surfaced from time to time and the matter has also been flagged by different NGOs. However, the government does not appear to have done much in this regard.
The chairperson of the NGT committee, BP Katakey, recently resigned citing non-response of government officials to queries.
