SHILLONG, Jan 18: All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) MLA, Marthon Sangma on Tuesday accused the state government of “hijacking” various departments to help some people get rich 
through the illegal coal trade. He also asked the government to scrap the departments of Transport, and Mining and Geology, over their inefficacy to check the rampant illegalities.
His statement comes a day after AITC leader and former chief minister, Mukul M. Sangma’s claim that illegal coal continues to be mined and transported on a massive scale with the state government in no mood to stop the illegalities.
Casting aspersions on the NPP-led government, Marthon said, “The DMR and Transport Department in both Dainadubi in North Garo Hills and Gasuapara in South Garo Hills have been made completely redundant in their greed to make money through the illegal transport of coal. Both these departments have been forbidden from checking vehicles in both ports for documentation or overloading. This is being facilitated through the various district administrations in both the districts.”
He also questioned the lack of scrutiny despite complaints against coal mining and transportation pouring in from various quarters, including MDCs, NGOs and locals.
“This does not augur well for the state as this sort of illegal acts are being given complete patronage. If the departments themselves are no longer useful, scrap them. At least, that way the state will be saving some money. A similar act transpired earlier at Dainadubi two years ago and those responsible for stealing money from the state have not even been asked to return it,” the Mendipathar MLA said.
He pointed to the impunity with which illegal acts are encouraged at Gasuapara, through where coal is transported to neighbouring Bangladesh. E-way bills are passed off as originating in Assam instead of Nangalbibra in South Garo Hills, he said.
“I am the local MLA from Mendipathar under which Dainadubi also falls. I can vouch for the fact that not one kilogram of coal has come from Assam to be exported to Bangladesh. How can the state actually sponsor such acts where despite the coal belonging to Meghalaya, we get no revenue from it? What is even more interesting is that GST is being paid to Assam, where the coal has never been from,” the MLA said.
“This leakage of revenue when teachers, GHADC employees and other state departments are not being paid is not only shameful but criminal. This has to stop at all costs and the loss of revenue recovered from those who have benefitted from such acts,” he said.
“If that does not happen, and as we know the government is an active participant in this illegality, we will be left with no option but to seek the help of the court. We have had enough of such hand-shaking,” Sangma added.