Coal mining ban
SHILLONG: The coal mining ban by NGT since April 2014 has resulted in the loss of revenue of over Rs 4,000 crore.
An official with the finance department said though Rs 600 crore loss was roughly calculated in the first year due to the ban on coal mining, there was some increase in the revenue loss to government in the subsequent years.
Hence, the revenue loss-both direct and indirect- is over Rs 4,000 crore for the last five years, the official added.
However, the official admitted that the state government is yet to conduct any study on socio-economic impact due to the ban on coal mining.
There were media reports in the past that parents had to withdraw students from educational institutes due to their inability to sustain themselves following the ban on coal mining activities.
The NGT had appointed a judicial committee headed by Justice (retd) B.P Katoki to ensure remedial measures to redeem the environment following the rampant illegal coal mining activities.
The state government will highlight the revenue loss during the meeting of the officials with the 15th Finance Commission on Tuesday.
The government wanted a balance between development by coal mining activities and environment protection.
The state has already filed a case in the Supreme Court challenging the order of the NGT banning coal mining activities while assuring that effective steps will be taken to initiate safe mining practices.
The state is seeking exemption from Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act which necessitates prior approval from the Centre for mining lease.
An official with Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) said the plea before the Supreme Court is for delegation of powers so that mining plan can be approved by the state government and not the Centre.
During the ban period, there were several cases of illegal coal mining and transportation which have also affected the revenue of the state.
The NGT appointed committee had pointed out that based on the action taken report submitted by the government, police had recorded that out 1170 cases registered for illegal transportation of coal, investigation into 101 cases have been completed and 164 cases are still pending for investigation.
The committee has also been apprised that out of the 109 cases registered in different districts for illegal extraction of coal, investigation into 96 cases have been completed, leaving 13 cases, in which the investigation is pending.