By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 5: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the state government to file a fresh status report within four weeks on the recommendations made by the Justice (retd) B.P. Katakey Committee in its “Thirty-Eighth Interim Report” on illegal coal mining in the state.
During the hearing of a PIL on Friday, a division bench, comprising Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, took note of the status report filed by the state government on May 22, 2026, in response to the Thirty-Seventh Interim Report of the committee.
The court noted that show-cause notices were issued on May 15, 2026, in connection with the case involving Star Cement for violation of the 2024 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) governing coal transportation.
On the issue of compensation to the legal heirs of the late Mosaid Ali, the state informed the court that the compensation amount would be released upon submission of documents establishing legal heirship.
Regarding accountability for illegal coal mining activities, the state government informed the court that an accountability mechanism was proposed to be incorporated. Under the proposal, the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills district, and the Divisional Mining Officer, Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR), would be held accountable for the occurrence or continuation of illegal coal mining within their respective jurisdictions.
The report further stated that responsibility relating to transportation and movement of illegally mined coal would rest with the District Transport Officer, East Jaintia Hills, while scrutiny and verification of transport challans, transit permits and related documents would remain with the Mining and Geology Department and DMR.
On transportation of illegally mined coal identified through aerial surveys conducted by M/s Garuda UAV, the state reported that approximately 1,24,431 metric tonnes (MT) out of 1,43,939 MT had already been transported to designated depots. The remaining 19,508 MT, linked to a petition submitted by Mathaios Byrloi on behalf of coal owners, is under process.
With regard to seized coal, the government informed the court that only 2,500 MT out of 11,446.7287 MT had been transported due to scattered stock locations requiring prior accumulation and poor condition of kutcha roads, particularly during the rainy season.
On auction of re-assessed and re-verified inventoried coal, the government reported that 3,45,051 MT out of 3,72,908 MT offered for auction by MSTC on April 28, 2026, was successfully auctioned. The report stated that out of 14,10,710.41 MT of re-inventoried coal assessed through aerial drone surveys, only 27,857 MT remained to be auctioned.
The government further informed the court that successful bidders had deposited payments for 33,503 MT of coal, and mineral transport challans had been issued for 9,600 MT.
A proposal to constitute a High-Level Monitoring Committee, headed by an officer not below the rank of Additional Chief Secretary for monitoring approved projects and utilisation of funds under CPCB and MEPRF, is under active consideration.
On recovery of unrealised demurrage charges, the government reported that out of total dues amounting to Rs 45,13,621, a sum of Rs 33,85,822 had already been recovered. Bakijai notices have been issued against defaulting bidders for recovery of the remaining amount.
The court took note of the status of integrated smart DMR check gates in vulnerable areas. The government informed that identification of suitable land and finalisation of locations, including the Nangalbibra–Mendipathar Railway Station and Rongjeng–Dainadubi sections, were still pending. The court directed that future status reports specifically address progress on this issue.
The government further informed the court that a common action plan for North Garo Hills, East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills districts was being prepared to prevent illegal coal mining and transportation. Integrated Task Forces have already been constituted in the districts, comprising district officials including Deputy Commissioners, Additional Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, District Transport Officers and Divisional Mining Officers.
The court observed that the highlight of the status report was the high sale rate achieved during the auction conducted on April 28, 2026. However, it noted that issues such as delays in payments, challan issuance, depot management and land-related matters required attention.
The court further observed that the unauthorised transportation of coal by Star Cement indicated that more rigorous and efficient measures were required for the implementation of the 2024 SOP.
The Thirty-Eighth Interim Report recommended strict timelines for issuance of mineral transport challans, immediate issuance of challans for 23,902 MT of coal, physical verification of designated Coal India Limited depots, and return of cleared depots to landowners to reduce rental liabilities of the state.
The committee highlighted the violation of the SOP by Star Cement and recommended stronger monitoring mechanisms and accountability measures, including fixing personal liability on officials in whose jurisdictions illegal mining or transportation took place.
Other recommendations included audit of sources of coal used by industrial plants in Meghalaya, utilisation of the Rs 100 crore CPCB fund, and framing of a state-wide enforcement and accountability mechanism.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 6, 2026.
