Shillong, Feb 1: The High Court of Meghalaya today stated that it was completely ‘unacceptable’ that a State government or its officials would be unaware of as many as 57 coke plants functioning in a clandestine manner during the night for such illegal plants to be shut down only to pursuant to orders passed by this Court upon receipt of a public interest litigation.
A Division bench of the court comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh hearing a PIL filed by one Monu Kumar observed that it is the bounden duty of the State to ensure that no activity that requires a license is carried on without the license being obtained. Indeed, the State’s stand on the entire issue of illegal mining of coal and functioning of illegal coke plants has been less than satisfactory and, at the highest, equivocal.
“ It is a matter of crying shame that despite orders of the Supreme Court, no less, a state of anarchy is brought about by the State government by flouting such orders and apparently actively aiding in the illegal mining of coal and the functioning of coke plants without license in the State.
“The rampant functioning of illegal coke plants leads to the obvious inference of rampant illegal mining of coal in the State despite the State government’s assurance to the contrary. Earlier today, a fresh petition has been received pertaining to illegal mining of coal continuing merrily in the South Garo Hills” the court said.
The court has asked Meghalaya Chief Secretary to file a report at the first sitting of the Court on February 3, 2023 as to the action taken against the erring officials, including notices of suspension, initiation of departmental proceedings, sequestration of assets and the like for the flagrant operation of illegal coke plants.
The Chief Secretary will carry the report to the Court and will remain personally liable for any illegal mining of coal or illegal operation of any coke plant in the State. The remainder of the matter will be considered after receipt of the Chief Secretary’s report.
Though the State is represented by learned Advocate-General, the Registrar-General will ensure that a copy of this order is served on the Chief Secretary forthwith.