By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 16: The opening day of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly’s budget session on Monday passed without fireworks on what many anticipated would be the dominant issue: the persistence of illegal rat-hole coal mining and its deadly consequences.
A tragic explosion on February 5, 2026, at an illegal coal mine in the Mynsngat-Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills district claimed 33 lives (as confirmed by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in a suo motu statement during the session) and injured several others.
The incident has reignited public outrage and political pressure over the continued violation of the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) long-standing ban on such unscientific and hazardous mining practices in the state.
Opposition members, particularly from the Voice of the People Party (VPP), had planned to press the government hard on the issue. VPP MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit submitted an adjournment motion specifically to discuss illegal coal mining and transportation in light of the recent blast.
However, Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma disallowed any discussion on the matter and rejected the adjournment motion.
In a letter to Basaiawmoit on Monday and delivered via Assembly Deputy Secretary Raja Kharpuri, the Speaker cited Rule 57 (VI) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, which prohibits adjournment motions on matters under adjudication by a court of law anywhere in India.
The decision was supported by a February 14 communication from the Mining and Geology Department. Joint Secretary M.B. Tongper referenced a legal opinion from Advocate General Amit Kumar concerning a proposed private member’s resolution by Leader of Opposition Mukul M. Sangma.
The resolution had sought an inquiry into illegal coal mining. The Advocate General concluded that the matter falls squarely under the ongoing Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 2 of 2022) titled “In Re: Illegal Coal Mining in the State of Meghalaya” before the High Court of Meghalaya.
The PIL, initiated suo motu by the High Court, comprehensively addresses illegal mining, transportation, storage, reasons for continued violations despite enforcement efforts, and alternative livelihood options for communities affected by the NGT ban. Citing Rule 117(d) of the Assembly Rules—which bars resolutions on sub-judice matters—the Advocate General described an “absolute bar” on legislative discussion or resolution while the court remains seized of the issue.
The Mining and Geology Department fully endorsed this view, stating that the questions raised in the Assembly overlap directly with those under judicial consideration.
As a result, neither the adjournment motion nor any broader debate on illegal coal mining will proceed during the current session. The government’s position aligns with recent enforcement actions post-blast, including registration of dozens of FIRs, arrests (including seven directly linked to the Mynsngat-Thangsko incident), seizures of thousands of tonnes of coal, dismantling of machinery, and the formation of a judicial inquiry commission to probe the tragedy and its root causes.
