SHILLONG, Oct 10: Following the directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT) earlier, the East Jaintia Hills district administration on Monday once again promulgated prohibitory orders banning rat-hole coal mining in the district, officials said.
A district administration official said that the prohibitory order under Section 144 of CrPC was issued also against illegal transportation and dumping of coal in noncompliance with the directions issued by the NGT earlier. “Action would be taken against transportation of coal without valid challan or documents or permission, license issued by the competent authority to and from the district,” the official said.
The notification issued by the district magistrate said that violation of the order shall attract penal actions under Section 188 of IPC apart from the other relevant laws.
Environmental activists in Meghalaya and Assam have said that despite the orders and recommendations of the Supreme Court and NGT, mining continues unlawfully and coal is exported to Bangladesh and other places with the authorities turning a blind eye.
Expressing strong displeasure, the High Court of Meghalaya had recently asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that illegal coal mining activities are stopped at once and a committee free from political interference be set up to monitor the execution of Supreme Court and NGT’s directions and recommendations. (IANS)
