SHILLONG: Pawan Sharma, a resident of the city, has sought information under RTI Act on steps taken, status of inquiry and action taken against cement manufacturing companies with regard to illegal mining of coal in violation of the ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal.
Sharma has sought the information in an application under section 6 of the RTI Act to the Public Information Officer, Office of the Chief Secretary on July 22.
In his application, he referred to the Tribunal directing the Chief Secretary to look into the matter and submit quarterly report to it and initiate proceedings against the cement manufacturing companies who have used illegal coal after a ban on rat-hole mining in the state.
The application cites the NGT order of January 17, 2020 in the case of “Threat to life arising out of coal mining in South Garo Hills District Vrs State of Meghalaya and ors”.
It had noted that 10 cement plants in the state had consumed 59,47,789 MT of coal during the period 2014 — 2019 but they procured 20,11,115 MT from legal sources, thus leaving a gap of 39,36,683 MT which means that two-third of the required quantity of coal was met by them from illegally mined coal resulting in rat-hole mining in flagrant violation of the ban imposed by the Tribunal.
“I, therefore, request you to furnish me the information as to the steps taken in this regard and the present status of inquiry and action taken against the cement manufacturing companies”, the application stated.
