There is a further 14 lakh tonnes of extracted coal in various parts of Meghalaya, the Secretary of the Mining and Geology Department said in a public notice. This figure is based on a reassessment and re-inventory that was carried out by drone survey, physical verification or a combination of both during 2022-23.
The public notice was issued on May 16 but shared with the media only today.
In it, the Secretary said that out of the 14.10 lakh tonnes of extracted coal, 5.95 lakh tonnes has already been auctioned by Coal India Ltd and the process of transporting it is underway.
The balance quantity of 8.15 lakh tonnes of coal will be put to auction according to a pre-arranged timeline.
In view of this, all the coal owners of the yet-to-be auctioned coal should apply for a transit pass immediately from their respective Deputy Commissioner in order to transport the coal from the mine/pit head to designated CIL depots.
Any coal dumps found to be lying outside the re-inventoried list and the specified coordinates will be seized and appropriate action will be taken against the owner under relevant provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957.
If there is no coal or a lower amount of coal than had been reassessed belonging to a particular coal owner, necessary action will be initiated against the said coal owner under the MMDR Act.
Finally, once the timeline for auction of the 14.10 lakh tonnes of coal is completed, all remaining coal dumped/stacked or found lying either within or outside the specific coordinates shall be confiscated and taken into custody of the government and disposed of through open auction by the government and proceeds accruing from such auction shall be deposited as government revenue at the sole risk and responsibility of the owner concerned, who shall have no claim whatsoever over the sale value accruing from the auction.
