Shillong, Aug 12: The Justice (retd) BP Katakey Committee, appointed by the High Court of Meghalaya on illegal coal mining, submitted its 39th interim report with wide-ranging recommendations for prevention, accountability and rehabilitation.
The committee called for the adoption of a policy to constitute state- and district-level public grievance committees to address complaints on illegal coal mining. It said such a mechanism should be independent, transparent, technology-enabled and accountable, preferably headed by neutral persons with an eminent private member.
According to Justice Katakey the committees should have defined powers, including emergency powers, timelines for disposal of complaints, protection for whistleblowers and a clear procedure for informing complainants of enquiry outcomes.
The report also proposed that the state government frame a policy under Article 162 for payment of ex-gratia assistance to persons who die or are injured in accidents in illegal coal mines, of which there have been several in the state in the first half of 2026 alone.
The policy should cover guiding principles, quantum of assistance, verification by a designated committee, time limits for payment, and recovery of the amount from mine owners, land owners, lessees, operators or transporters, the report recommended. It should also provide for consequences of false claims, a right of appeal, and a saving clause that payment will not bar criminal prosecution.
Earlier in the report, the committee recommended the immediate framing of a ‘Comprehensive Action Plan’ for prevention, detection and control of illegal coal mining and transportation. This should identify vulnerable areas and fix responsibility on concerned officers when illegal activities are detected.
It also urged the state to immediately adopt a policy for closure of all rat-hole mine openings within a fixed time, with fencing and guarding prioritised near human settlements where footfall is high, to prevent further loss of human life and livestock.
On auctioned coal, the committee said the Mining and Geology Department and Directorate of Mineral Resources must take proactive steps to ensure successful bidders deposit the full bid value within the time allowed under the standard operating procedures and file applications for ‘Mineral Transit Challans’ without delay. It warned that non-payment and non-lifting could lead to forfeiture and cancellation, requiring fresh auctions and additional expenditure.
The panel asked the government to take a decision on three vacant depots that have never been used and to return the land to owners to avoid further rent from the Meghalaya exchequer. It also sought an enquiry into why 28,369.44 MT of re-assessed inventoried coal is less in designated depots.
On funds, the committee recommended directions for the state to submit proposals within a timeframe to the National Green Tribunal oversight committee for utilisation of Rs 74.02 crore remaining from the Rs 100 crore with Central Pollution Control Board and Rs 354.52 crore in Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund (MEPRF), to ensure the money benefits the people of Meghalaya.
It further recommended verification of coke oven plants based on consent given by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), checking their existence, operation and compliance with the 2024 SOPs and verifying whether coal claimed to be sourced from outside is genuine and whether coal from inside Meghalaya is legal. A report was sought within 15 days.
Other recommendations included immediate issuance of notification amending the SOPs and calling for records relating to the transfer of the Superintendent of Police of East Jaintia Hills after the February 5 incident at Mynsyngat-Thangsko, where more than 30 people lost their lives in an explosion at an illegal mine, to examine reasons for the transfer.
