SHILLONG: Leader of the opposition Mukul Sangma has alleged that the MDA government is facilitating illegal coal mining and putting pressure on bureaucrats to do the same.
Sangma, while addressing media persons on Friday, said the government removed the director of Mining and Geology and posted one officer who was also serving as a mining and geology joint secretary and MD of the Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation Limited (MMDC).
“Subsequently, this officer was also shunted out and they brought somebody else. Now what is the reason, why the second officer was again transferred within a short period of time,” he said.
“Has anything happened because of the pressure from the people who are in power, the ministers, because please remember mining and geology (portfolio) is also being held by the chief minister. There is a need to find out what has happened after the removal and transfer of the second director who was posted and what is still happening,” he added as he called for a proper investigation into the matter.
When asked about the quantity of assessed coal, Sangma said these figures are available with the government as it has to file affidavit before the Supreme Court whenever extension of time is sought for transportation.
“So there is already a figure available with the government and this is also available with the Supreme Court and NGT. But how can this figure keep on changing,” he said.
The former chief minister alleged that the government’s intention was wrong and it would facilitate illegal mining. He urged the government to restrain from such illegal activity.
Reacting to a query, Sangma said the ruling government’s false promises about starting mining within six months of coming to power had generated expectations before the election.
“But after the formation of this government, now there has been reaction from people, including some of the NGOs who have gone to the Supreme Court seeking intervention into the allegations that illegal mining of coal is taking place in the state,” he added.
