NEW DELHI: In a major blow to the Meghalaya government, the Supreme Court today said that it has failed in containing illegal coal mining in the state resulting in major a mine mishap like in Ksan and banned any form of transportation of coal till February 19, the next date of hearing.
The apex court hauled up the Meghalaya government for “failing to curb rampant illegal mining” in the state. “The present incident in which 15 miners are trapped in rat hole-mine over a month shows illegal mining continues despite the ban and the state may not be supporting it but has failed to contain illegal mining,” the court said.
“Despite several extensions, you are seeking more time and this means illegal mining is still going on,” the bench told Senior Advocate for Joba Sangma of a coal miners’ body from Garo Hills who was arguing in favour of transportation.
Amicus Curiae Colin Gonsalves argued and said that in the name of transportation fresh coal mining has been going on and the tragedy in East Jaintia Hills is also due to such fresh coal mining after transportation.
Gonsalves also referred to the report of B P Katoki, who heads the three-member NGT committee, saying officials of the government have admitted to coal mining continuing.
The court ordered the state to file a reply on applications and also response to Katoki committee report next month and till such time no transportation of coal will be allowed.
The Meghalaya government has also been seeking time since 2014, to allow transportation of coal despite the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) ban on rat-hole mining.
In 2014, the NGT had banned mining but allowed transportation of the extracted coal. Mining bodies had moved Supreme Court, after the green watchdog stopped transportation a year later and since then have been seeking extensions for transportation of extracted coal.
Justice A K Sikri inquired as to why the government is not enforcing the order on ban. He was informed by the state counsels that the government is doing whatever it can to prevent illegal mining and no illegal mining is in the knowledge of state.
No right to be in office: Mukul
Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma on Tuesday said Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had no right to continue in office after the Supreme Court order.
“Today’s order of the Supreme Court shows that for the first time in the history of India, this court could no longer trust a state government and the leadership has to be held responsible and with this exposure the leadership does not have both the moral and the legal right to continue in office,” Mukul stated.
