By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 8: The 35th interim report of Justice (retd) B.P. Katakey has once again flagged the issue of 37,449.53 metric tonnes (MT) of missing coal following a reaching-out exercise conducted after an aerial survey of coal dumps across four districts of Meghalaya.
The report records that a total of 1,92,840.13 MT of coal was detected in 1,898 dumps during the aerial survey conducted by M/s Garuda UAV Soft Solutions Pvt. Ltd. However, during the subsequent exercise carried out by the respective district administrations, only 1,55,390.6 MT was found across 1,889 dumps, leaving 37,449.53 MT unaccounted for.
In East Jaintia Hills, the aerial survey had detected 1,80,299.48 MT of coal in 1,572 dumps. The district administration reported reaching all 1,572 dumps, where 1,43,939 MT was found. The shortfall in the district was recorded at 36,360.48 MT.
In West Khasi Hills, 11,707.99 MT of coal was detected across 280 dumps. All 280 dumps were reached, and 11,446 MT was found during the exercise, leaving a discrepancy of 261.99 MT.
In South West Khasi Hills, 797.65 MT was detected in 37 dumps. The district administration reached 28 dumps, where 5.6 MT was found. The shortfall was recorded at 792.05 MT. The report notes that no information was provided regarding reaching out to the remaining 7 locations or coordinates as recorded during the aerial survey.
In South Garo Hills, 35.01 MT was detected in 9 dumps. All 9 dumps were reached, but no coal was found. The entire 35.01 MT was recorded as missing, with the report stating that the quantity found during the aerial survey was said to have been washed away by heavy rain.
The Commission further recorded that FIRs were stated to have been lodged in the respective police stations concerning the missing coal at the coordinates identified during the aerial survey.
In its recommendations, the Committee stated that the entire 1,55,390.6 MT of coal found during the reaching-out exercise, out of the total 1,92,840.13 MT detected in the aerial survey, should be transported immediately to designated depots of the respective districts to prevent further loss. It further recommended that the coal be auctioned after obtaining necessary orders from the competent court.
The Commission also recommended that FIRs relating to the missing 37,449.53 MT be lodged immediately, if not already done, and that investigations be completed expeditiously to ensure punishment of those involved in illegal coal mining activities.
