SHILLONG: The coal miners and owners who have expressed reservation about the NGT guidelines can approach either the Government or the NGT for rectification, an official said on Wednesday.
The Additional Chief secretary KS Kropha, who heads the NGT constituted committee, said on Wednesday said that if there are grievances on the part of coal mining body, it can write to the State Government and NGT.
The Kropha Committee on September 1 had issued guidelines on transportation of coal and later on September 4, the Principal Secretary, Mining and Geology Y. Tsering issued several conditions before transporting coal. As per the conditions, from September 4, seven working days were allotted for the preparatory work for printing forms on royalty collection and issue of transport permit as per the conditions.
After the expiry of seven days, another 14 working days were allowed for payment of royalty by coal mine owners.
Following the collection of royalty, the Director of Mineral Resources will notify the date for starting issue of transport permit. A period of three months only will be allowed for transportation of coal.
However, state co-ordination committee of coal owners ,miners and dealers forum (the SCCCOM&DF) said that the coal mine owners should be allowed to pay the royalty in installments.
Recently, the SCCCOM&DF general secretary M. Kharkongor stated that it is impossible for the mine owners to pay the royalties within the specific deadline of 14 days as indicated by NGT committee.
The coal mining body has also said that NGT committee has not assessed coal in depot and mine site in several cases, as in the list of NGT, there is no coal either in the depot or mine site which according to the coal miners needs rectification following the verification by deputy commissioners .