Ban on mining of coal stays lFive environment commissioners appointed
SHILLONG: Refusing to revoke its interim ban on coal mining in Meghalaya, the National Green Tribunal on Thursday gave two weeks time to coal mine owners and dealers to pay royalty in lump sum.
“The coal miners are directed to pay the royalty of the extracted coal which was assessed at the site within 14 days period (February 11). The payment of royalty can be made in lump sum in any nationalised banks through Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system,” NGT judicial member Justice Salvi said while passing of the order.
The transportation of extracted coal will continue till February 11 as per the earlier order since this issue was not raised or discussed during Thursday’s hearing.
It, however, upheld, that the transportation of assessed coal and whose royalty had been paid will be allowed till February 11.
Interestingly, as per the report submitted before the tribunal, the State Government has so far collected around Rs 77.25 crore as royalty from the 11,02, 950 metric tonnes of extracted coal which had already been transported.
Earlier, the expert committee had indicated that there are around 6.3 million tones of extract coal whose total value is Rs 3078 crore adding that the royalty payable to the state government is Rs 400 crore.
Justice Salvi directed the State Government to speed up the process of formulating the mining policy and also to suggest the methodology which will help in regulating mining activities as per the scientific regulation which is accepted globally.
The NGT had clamped a ban on mining of coal in April last year.
The tribunal also directed the State Government to create exit points for transportation of coal at Dalu and Garampani by the end of March even as the tribunal has approval the proposal to set up an exit point at Myndihati to facilitate the requirement of coal for the various cement manufacturing companies in Jaintia Hills.
The tribunal directed the government to strictly follow guidelines of the NGT’s re-constituted committee headed by Meghalaya additional chief secretary KS Kropha to set up 10 check posts, to operate in accordance with the earlier NGT order.
The Tribunal also appointed five independent environment commissioners to conduct independent inspections at the weigh bridges and mines and see if the orders passed by the tribunal are being followed in letter and spirit.
The five local commissioners appointed by the tribunal are senior advocate JB Kharbhhih, retired IPS officer K Rymbui and the three environmentalists Vikash Pradhan, Naba Bhattacharjee and Rosanna Lyngdoh.
“The local commissioners will submit its report to the tribunal at the end of every month,” Justice Salvi said adding that the State Government will have to pay an honorarium of Rs 25, 0000 per month to each of the local commissioner.