SHILLONG, Nov 22: The state government will soon notify the district-level grievance cell (DLGC) to inquire into complaints on illegal mining and transportation of coal, based on the recommendation of Justice (retd) BP Katakey who was appointed by the government, based on the recommendation of the High Court of Meghalaya, to ensure proper implementation of the orders of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal with regard to the ban on illegal mining and transportation of coal.
Talking to reporters after a review meeting on the measures taken by the state government in compliance with the directions issued by the apex court and NGT, Justice Katakey said the government decided to notify the grievances cell after he had recommended that the public should be involved to ensure their confidence in the system.
Stating that the public can directly complaint to the grievance cell, he said that the grievance cell will make an inquiry and if there are satisfied with the facts and figures which have been furnished then follow up action has to be taken against person(s) involved in such illegalities.
Replying to a query, he said that he has read about the allegations of illegal mining and transportation of coal in some districts, including East Jaintia Hills.
“I have also read about reports that there are caves which are under threat due to illegal mining. I have asked the East Jaintia Hills deputy commissioner to inquire into this and submit a report by November 30,” Justice Katakey said.
He said that a number of cases have been registered against transportation of coal and illegal mining.
According to him, in some cases charge sheet has been filed while in other cases they have submitted a final report mentioning lack of evidence.
Meanwhile, he said that the physical verification of the quantity of the assessed coal in the four major coal producing districts of Meghalaya is almost complete.
“I had also directed officials to carry out drone survey of the coal and this is also complete. The status of the drone survey and the physical verification of the quantum of assessed coal which is still available will be known during the next meeting on December 2,” Justice Katakey said.
He recalled that the state government in its affidavit had claimed that the total assessed coal is 32 lakh metric tonnes.
“My job is to find out the exact quantity of coal available now since the government cannot legally mine coal. I don’t think that 32 lakh MT of coal is available now but the final figure will be known on December 2,” he added.
