SHILLONG: A coal miner has written to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on the delayed response to the Supreme Court’s order on transportation of the already extracted coal. In the letter, Madal Sumer, a small-time miner, said the government’s reluctance to comply with the December 4 order was “disappointing”.
Sumer said the government is reluctant to issue the mineral transport challans on time for transportation of the coal as permitted by the Supreme Court.
“The action of the state government is nothing but an insult to the Majesty of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Either the state is trying to mislead the Hon’ble Court or it has some other hidden and mala fide intention in dealing with the matter… The period for transportation… is very limited and moreover Christmas Festival is knocking at the door. Timely release of mineral transport challan will enable people to trade the remaining coal and make their kids happy with little celebration and shopping,” he added.
Sumer also said the State should not try and manipulate the names of miners and replace them with the people of their choice or preference. “This will amount to misleading and devaluating” the Supreme Court, he wrote in the letter.