By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 1: An under-fire Meghalaya government on Thursday refuted allegations that it has been denying the existence of illegal coal mining and transportation in the state, asserting that it will comply with the High Court of Meghalaya’s directives to transition to full-scale scientific mining within the next three years.
The MDA 2.0 government has been attracting flak after damning reports on illegal coal mining by central agencies and a committee appointed by the high court.
“You should appreciate the fact that two months ago, the government went for the first scientific mining unit in Jaintia Hills, which will significantly impact this question of illegality in coal mining,” Cabinet Minister and government spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said, responding to questions triggered by the Enforcement Directorate’s recent raids and the 28th interim report of the Justice (retired) BP Katakey Committee.
Both reports laid bare the widespread continuation of illegal rat-hole mining in Meghalaya despite a National Green Tribunal ban, multiple high court directives, and claims of enforcement by the state.
Lyngdoh said the government is committed to complying with court directives while grappling with difficult terrain and remote, road-inaccessible areas. “Major challenge for us is the topography of the state, and several areas are remote and not accessible by roads. Those challenges lead to the piling up of illegal coal being dumped in forested or inaccessible areas. The collection of information is ongoing,” he added.
“We will abide by the high court’s pronouncement, and we should be in a position to go for full-scale scientific mining in two to three years from today,” he said.
Dismissing accusations of indifference, Lyngdoh said: “There is no denial. What we are saying is, we are trying to collect accurate information.”
He acknowledged the difficulty in gathering reliable data. “Information collection becomes difficult because these are privately-owned mines, especially in inaccessible areas,” he said.
Lyngdoh said the change is under way. “We will overcome that challenge, and in two to three years from today, we will be in a position to significantly reduce the current method of rat-hole mining and opt for scientific mining.”
“This is for the first time that the government has inaugurated a unit which caters to and abides by all mechanisms of scientific mining,” he said.
The ED recently stated that illegal coal mining is being “rampantly” carried out under “inhuman” conditions in Meghalaya, with approximately 1,200 tonnes of coal extracted daily.
The Katakey Committee’s latest report to the high court highlighted rampant violations across coal-bearing districts, challenging the state’s narrative of control and compliance.