By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 9: After remaining silent for a considerable period of time, the state BJP, an ally of the NPP-led MDA 2.0 Government, has spoken against the rampant coal illegalities in the state and asked the state government to take a serious note of the High Court’s observation on illegal coal mining and transportation.
“The government has been filing one affidavit after another in the High Court and we are not really privy to the documents submitted to the High Court. But it a fact that the state government should act against the illegalities,” BJP spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang said on Saturday.
Reminded that the party was vocal against corruption during the MDA-I’s tenure and also during the run-up to the Assembly polls earlier this year, he said, “We will continue to raise our voice when it comes out in the open and there is evidence.”
He pointed out that it would not be prudent for the party to raise its voice against coal illegalities since there is “no evidence at the moment”.
Recently the High Court perused the 18th interim report filed by Justice (retired) BP Katakey who had conducted field visits to East Jaintia Hills and other areas, and termed the situation as “alarming”.
The 18th interim report mentions that there is no let up in illegal coal mining and transportation in the state.
The High Court passed an order earlier this week, directing East Jaintia Hills SP, Jagpal Singh Dhanoa to be present before the court on December 11 and submit his clarification on Justice Katakey’s report which noticed dumping of huge quantities of “freshly-mined” coal by the side of National Highway 6 near Don Bosco junction as well as behind the Don Bosco College (former St. Anthony’s College) in Byndihati village in East Jaintia Hills.
Moving on from the issue of coal to the pending demand for recognition of the Khasi and Garo languages under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, Kharkrang stated that the BJP will pursue the matter with the Centre, but they will first find out the reason(s) for the demand not being approved.
“We will find out the reason why it has not been approved till now. Is there something lacking from the state government or is there some other reason,” he said.
Kharkrang also declared that the BJP will pursue the other outstanding issues of the state with the Centre in addition to the language issue.
The Assembly has passed a resolution, submitted multiple memoranda, held countless meetings, and yet there are still issues that need to be resolved with the central government, including the inclusion of the language, the implementation of the ILP, and the assent for the MRSSA, he recalled.