Limestone mined before June 2015 to be transported

SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the Government to assess the amount of limestone extracted before a judgment of the court on June 30, 2015, and issue transport challans to exporters as per rules.
Two NGOs, Foreign Trade Chamber of Commerce and War Jaintia Limestone Boulders, Stone Exporters and Miners Association, had filed a writ petition in the High Court over the inaction of the State Government.
During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioners, HL Shangreiso, submitted that initially when mining was started, it was without any licence or permission from the Government in absence of mining rules.
“But now as per the mining rules, they can do mining only after obtaining proper licence from the Government and members of the petitioners’ Association have filed an application but Government has not given any importance,” the counsel said in his submission.
State Counsel P Agarwal submitted that there is a criminal case pending against the two members of the association.
The court later said that it has nothing to do with the criminal case that has been charge sheeted.
“But in the case of the other members against whom there is no criminal case or any other proceedings pending and there is no bar by the mining rules, assessment should be done within one month and issue permit as well as transport challan to those applicants who deserve as per the rules of the law,” the court order said. The court also asked the Government to see that limestone which has already been extracted may be allowed to transport if rules permit. It also asked the association not to indulge in illegal mining or manipulation.