TURA, Jan 5: Tura BJP MDC, Bernard N Marak on Friday raised the issue of illegal coal mining and transportation taking place in South Garo Hills with the Union Home Minister, Meghalaya DGP, and the SP of South Garo Hills, while at the same time urging that urgent steps be taken to stop the illegal activity.
The issue was broached following an FIR filed in this regard on Thursday by one Rajen Sangma, the Officer in charge of the Baghmara Police Station.
The FIR by Sangma claimed that coal was being loaded onto hundreds of trucks from depots at Era A’ning and Jadigittim under Nongalbibra police station, a copy of which was also submitted along with the complaint.
“I would like to bring to your notice the seriousness of the illegal transportation of coal which is happening openly in huge quantities in the state.
Overloaded trucks carrying coal without proper documents are plying freely at night by merely paying the entry fee approximately amounting to Rs 1,25,000.00 per truck which is not recorded by the Government and without paying royalty tax to the ADCs.
The directions of the Supreme Court in its order dated June 3, 2019, are not being followed and it is also an unjustified exploitation of the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India as all districts in Meghalaya fall under the Hill provisions,” Bernard said, in his complaint.
Pointing out that the reasons for the inaction by police have raised serious doubts among citizens, Bernard sought that immediate action be taken to stop all illegal activities related to coal to ensure that the SC order is honoured and to clear all doubts of the people.
