SHILLONG: Seven cases were registered under Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957 since March 13 this year for violation of the NGT ban on coal mining.
An official source said on Monday that the punishment for violation of NGT order under MMDR Act is maximum five years with a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
According to the MMDR Act, the deputy commissioners will be the authorised persons who can now file cases for legal action.
On March 13, a notification empowering the officers was issued by the government.
As per the MMDR Act, vehicles, machinery and other equipment can be confiscated whenever there are violations of NGT ban.
The direction to activate the provisions of MMDR Act was given by retired judge B P Katoki, who is heading the NGT appointed committee.
Earlier, only section 188 of IPC was used by the police for taking action against the violators by imposing fine or imprisonment.
However, this was not found effective since many secured bail and carried on with illegal transportation of coal and mining.
The section stipulates simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine up to Rs 200.
Following the NGT ban in 2014, police have so far arrested 2,155 persons in 1,316 cases of violation which were registered under the section.