By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 11: Jagpal Singh Dhanoa, the Superintendent of Police of East Jaintia Hills on Monday told the High Court of Meghalaya that adequate steps have been taken to address the issue of illegal coal mining and transportation in the district.
He also submitted that 4,800 MT of coal noted at the site mentioned in the 18th interim report of the Justice (retired) BP Katakey committee has been seized.
Appearing for the state, Advocate General A Kumar submitted that the entire process of the instant proceedings as mentioned in the 18th interim report is still before the committee, which is yet to file the next report.
The court noted that without the latest report, no conclusive order can be passed at this stage and accordingly, the matter has been listed on December 19 to await the report of Justice Katakey on the update sought from the deputy commissioner and other authorities on the coal mentioned in the 18th interim report.
It was submitted that of the inventoried coal, 5,50,000 MT remains to be transported and auctioned by Coal India Limited and that as per the directives of the one-man Katakey panel, it should be completed within December 2023.
The court said the schedule should be adhered to and the remaining inventoried coal disposed of by the end of the year.
“The personal appearance of the Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills for the time being is dispensed with, to await further developments in the matter,” the court of Acting Chief Justice HS Thangkhiew and Justice W Diengdoh said.
Later, during the conclusion of the proceedings, the court master said the 19th interim report had just been received from Katakey.
The court expected that the clarification on the findings, if any, in the report would be available on the next date.