Concern over CM’s silence on SC order, illegal deals
JOWAI: The All Jaintia Cement and Clinker Transporters Association (AJCCTA) has questioned the government over the Supreme Court order of July 3, 2019 on resumption of coal mining and transportation in the state.
“We are surprised that the government led by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has been keeping quiet on the order of the Supreme Court. The government has failed to implement the order of the apex court for allowing land owners to resume coal mining activities in the state”, AJCCTA president, Balen Thubru told The Shillong Times on Sunday.
“The apex court has lifted the NGT ban on coal mining in the state seven months ago with restrictions on environmental issues by strictly complying with the MMDR Act. However, the government is keeping mum making land owners, mine owners and even those involved indirectly with coal related businesses are upset and confused, “ Thubru added.
“Why the government does not want to implement the SC order?”, Thubru further asked.
The association also questioned the silence of the 60 MLAs of the state. ‘’What about the 32 lakh metric tons of extracted coal declared and assessed and allowed to transport as per the court order?”, the association said.
The NGT had imposed a ban on coal mining since April 2014 but the restriction was lifted by the Supreme Court on July 3, 2019.
“Why is coal business being made a black market in the state and who is profiting from all such illegal activities,” he asked. ‘’ Is the government involved in illegal transportation of coal?,’’ he said.
The AJCCTA has also informed that the truck owners and traders who are illegally transporting coal to Assam are allowed to pass through all the police check points in the state.
The AJCCTA has called upon all mine and truck owners, coal traders and NGOs of Jaintia Hills and the state to come forward and support the AJCCTA to eradicate all illegal activities committed by the government.