SHILLONG: The state government is yet to issue challans for transporting coal following the Supreme Court order of December 4.
In a statement to the media, Madal sumer, a small-time coal miner, said though he apex court has allowed transportation of already extracted coal till January 31, the government did not issue mineral transport challan. “The time granted by the Supreme Court is very short, approximately about seven weeks, and already one week has lapsed,” the statement said.
The ruling had come as a blessing but “the happiness was shortlived”. The statement highlighted the plight of people before Christmas and said “it would have been a great blessing for the people had the state government issued challan for transporting coal immediately after the Supreme Court ruling”. The statement also said on December 7, senior advocate Nidhesh Gupta had mentioned before the Supreme Court to allow hearing of one of the fresh cases filed by private parties on the issue related to coal transportation.
“However, the early hearing of the matter was not allowed… as the matter of Lber Laloo is already fixed on January 15 for hearing. That matter might come up on the same date,” it added.
