SHILLONG, April 20: Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Meghalaya High Court to appoint retired judge of the Gauhati High Court, Justice BP Katakey to monitor the compliance of Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal’s orders on coal mining and said that those blaming the MDA government for coal-related illegalities would now realize that the government has been ticking the right boxes as far illegal coal mining activities was concerned.
“The government is happy with the institution of the committee headed by the retired Judge. It is good since people will now understand that the government is doing the right thing and if not then the committee is there to take action.”
On Tuesday, the High Court had directed the Meghalaya government to extend full cooperation with Justice Katakey to oversee the compliance of the Supreme Court and NGT’s orders on coal mining activities in the state.
Justice Katakey will look into the measures adopted by the government to prevent illegal coal mining and transportation and file a preliminary report with the High Court within four weeks.
It may be noted that Justice Katakey had in 2019 resigned as Chairman of the NGT panel, constituted by the Tribunal and endorsed by the Supreme Court, to finalise the mode and manner of the auction of over 32 lakh metric tonnes of coal lying in various places across the state.
It was rumoured that Katakey had resigned following the government’s refusal to divulge details of the already extracted coal.
