JOWAI: In pursuance of the NGT ban on mining and transportation of extracted coal in the State, the East Jaintia Hills district administration has directed all cement plants situated in the district to stop illegal purchase of coal from suppliers who are illegally transporting coal to the cement plants in complete violation of the ban.
East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, W.R. Lyngdoh has personally written to all cement plants to immediately stop illegal purchase of coal.
“Some cement plants have secretly arranged supply to coal to their factories,” the DC stated in his letters, adding, “Accepting such supply is highly illegal which is against the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).”
“To avoid any further complication, all cement plants should stop accepting coal from any illegal supplier till further order issued either by the NGT or any authority”, the DC added.
Meanwhile, the district administration held a meeting with leaders of the Jaintia Hills Coal Miners’ and Dealers’ Association (JHCM&DA) on Thursday.
The meeting was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner C.S. Laloo in the presence of others magistrates and leaders of the miners Association.
Sources informed that though the district head was not present in the meeting, the ADC and others magistrates have requested the Association to check illegal transportation of coal in order to avoid any contempt of the NGT ban on coal mining and transportation. Meanwhile, sources also informed that illegal transportation of coal, particularly to cement plants, has been taking place on a regular basis at night time.
Hundreds of suppliers and coal miners are transporting coal to different cement plants and also to Beltola in Assam,” sources informed adding that vehicles transporting coal to Assam are fully covered with tarpaulin to avoid detection.