By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 6: The Justice (retired) BP Katakey-headed one-man committee has recommended initiating the process to recover Rs 5.30 crore from 15 coke oven plants and over Rs 1.71 crore from M/S Sakambari Ferro Alloy Pvt Ltd.
In its 33rd interim report, the committee said it has been apprised by the government-constituted Coal Audit Committee (CAC) about the completion of audit of source of coal utilised by the coke oven plants, ferro alloy plants and cement thermal power plants in East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts.
The CAC found 15 defaulting units which purchased 36,353 MT coal from illegal source and hence, Rs 5.30 crore was found to be recoverable. It apprised the Katakey committee that the process to recover the amount has been initiated.
As regards the ferro alloy plants, the CAC apprised that the audit of source of coal in respect of M/S Sakambari Ferro Alloy Pvt Ltd has been completed and Rs 1,71,77,100 is found to be payable by the company towards royalty, cess on royalty, GST and MEPRF, for which the process of recovery has been initiated.
In respect of other ferro alloy plants, such as M/S Shyam Century Ferrus Alloy Limited and Mythan Alloy Limited, the process of audit of source of coal is nearing completion.
According to the CAC, the process of audit of source of coal of captive power plants of cement companies is expected to be completed soon.
While recommending initiation of the process for recovery of the dues, the Katakey committee called for ensuring logical conclusion of the same within a reasonable period of time so that the amount can be recovered by the state.
The committee further recommended immediate completion of audit of source of coal of the remaining ferro alloy plants and captive power plants of the cement companies with the outer time limit of one month and also initiation of appropriate proceeding for recovery of the amount, if any, found to be due by the plants.
