As many as 30 applications have been received for scientific coal mining in the State and the applications are being processed, in conjunction with the Ministry of Coal.
This was informed by the State government before the full bench of the Meghalaya High Court during hearing of three PILs on illegal coal mining transportation.
One of the petitioners told the High Court that despite a direction by the court on August 10 for the State government to look into the other industries using the illegally-mined coal in their functioning, no report has been forthcoming from the government.
Advocate General Amit Kumar told the court that even such aspects of the matter is being monitored by Justice Katakey and certain anomalies have been noticed by the State government in how the ferro-alloy industry, the cement industry and the coke industry obtain their supplies of coal.
During today’s hearing, the High Court directed the State government to file a report in this regard at the next hearing to be held on October 4.
