Coal traders see foul play in WKH mineral office

NONGSTOIN: Coal traders from Shallang in West Khasi Hills have alleged that district mining officer K.B Surong and officials of the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) are issuing challans with counterfeit signatures.
The traders said when they visited the DMR office in Ladweitang recently, they found out that officials were issuing challans not to those whose names were written on them but to unknown people.
According to the rule, the person concerned should collect his challans with approval from the mineral officer and if the coal trader cannot be come, then he should give an authorisation letter.
But the traders alleged that the DMR office was issuing the challans without an authorisation letter and also that Surong used another person to fake the signatures.
The DMO, along with a businessman from Assam, used to run the show in Nongstoin, and coal traders from remote areas were often deceived, it was alleged.
The traders have requested Surong to either give an explanation or face legal action.