SHILLONG: Opposition leader Mukul Sangma has alleged that the state government is colluding with the Centre to further drain the state exchequer.
Reacting to reports of thousand coal-laden trucks being spotted at Ghasuapara Land Customs Station (LCS) in South Garo Hills district waiting to cross over to Bangladesh without ‘valid documents’, the former chief minister accused the state government of working with the Centre to allow such activity, which is further denying the state precious revenue.
Stating that export involves both state and Centre and various agencies, he told The Shillong Times on phone from Tura, “If transporting of coal without proper documents is allowed, the state will lose much needed revenue.”
There were also reports that over 30 coal-laden trucks from Bhutan were stranded at the Dawki-Tamabil LCS.
When contacted, officials said it was due to some confusion over Tuesday’s Supreme Court ban on transportation of coal from Meghalaya. But that has been sorted out and the trucks have passed through, the officials while adding that it was yet to be ascertained as to what is the actual status on the ground in Gasuapara.
Recently, the Supreme Court had banned transportation of coal in Meghalaya till the next hearing fixed on February 19 for its failure to curb illegal mining.
The stricture came after a coal mine tragedy in the state on December 13 as well as a Supreme Court constituted committee headed by retired High Court judge report exposing the continuation of coal mining despite the NGT ban since April 2014.