SHILLONG, Sep 23: The state government has informed the High Court of Meghalaya that it has ordered a fresh inspection of coal dump sites in two villages in Ri-Bhoi and South West Khasi Hills districts, after nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of illegally mined coal, detected in an aerial survey, could not be accounted for during ground verification.
A final report is expected within a month, the state government told the high court through an affidavit on Monday.
The direction followed a probe initiated by the deputy commissioners of the two districts, in compliance with a July 24 high court order in connection with a PIL filed in 2022.
A three-member committee, comprising senior district officials, had been constituted to investigate the discrepancy. “It is highly improbable for nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of coal to disappear without detection,” it said.
It attributed the discrepancy to the region’s difficult terrain and environmental conditions, noting that the errors were the result of unintentional gaps in information rather than negligence.
According to the report, the Meghalaya Basin Development Agency (MBDA)’s aerial survey had recorded 2,121.62 metric tonnes of coal in Diengngan village (Ri-Bhoi) and 1,839.03 metric tonnes in Rajaju village (West Khasi Hills).
However, ground verification teams found only 2.50 MT and 8 MT, respectively.
The committee observed that the absence of geotagged coordinates likely caused inspection teams to miss the actual dump sites.
It recommended a re-inspection of both villages, with MBDA tasked with providing precise GPS coordinates to ensure accurate identification and verification of the coal dumps.
The committee also highlighted the persistent risk of cross-border smuggling and called for enhanced surveillance, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and coordinated inter-agency efforts.
During a review meeting on August 11, the deputy commissioners clarified that earlier figures were based on incomplete data.
With updated information now available, a fresh verification will be carried out, and a final report will be submitted within a month.
The high court was also informed that MBDA and the Department of Mining and Geology have been directed to fully cooperate with the district administrations in the verification process and provide all required data.
Former Cabinet Minister Kyrmen Shylla had sparked public outrage after he remarked that the missing coal may have been washed away by monsoon rains, possibly into neighbouring Bangladesh.
His remarks triggered sharp condemnation from civil society organisations, citizens’ groups, and opposition parties.
Critics called the explanation “absurd” and “irresponsible”, accusing the former minister of trivialising a serious governance failure and undermining accountability. (PTI)
