By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 23: A Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed that 19,612 Mineral Transport Challans (MTCs) were issued for coal transportation in Meghalaya since May 1, 2025, while several coke-related queries were marked “nil” or “not available” by the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR).
The RTI, filed by CSWO president and RTI activist Agnes Kharshiing, sought detailed records on challans, departmental noting, revenue collection, and officials under the RTI Act, 2005.
In response to the query seeking copies of challans issued between January 1 and January 31 for the transportation of coal from East Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, and South West Khasi Hills districts, the department stated that the documents are provided as “Annexure-I.”
The department confirmed that a total of 19,612 MTCs were issued for coal transportation from May 1, 2025, till the date of the RTI reply. The department could not furnish any information about the number of challans issued for the transportation of coke during the same period.
Regarding records of challans issued for coal transportation from January onwards, the reply stated: “Annexure-II enclosed.” However, when similar notes were sought for coke transportation, the department said the information was “not available.”
Regarding revenue collection, the DMR stated that over Rs 11.32 crore had been collected from coal transportation, and that the figures were reconciled up to December 2025. For coke transportation, the department again stated that the information on the amount collected was “not available.”
The RTI also sought details of officials, to which the department identified Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma as the Minister in charge and named M.B. Tongper as Director of the Directorate of Mineral Resources at the time of the reply.
In response to a query seeking a clear photocopy of a challan issued to a specific truck (AS01 RC 5327) between January 1 and January 31, the department stated that the information was “Not available.”
The reply indicated that while consolidated figures on coal transportation and revenue were provided, several records—particularly those relating to coke transportation and specific documentation—were not available with the department or not furnished in the response.
