Shillong, Oct 7: The Justice (Retd) B P Katakey Committee, in its 41st Interim Report, has observed that not a single rat-hole coal mine has been closed or fenced in Meghalaya till date, even after more than two years of High Court directives for permanent closure and sealing of abandoned pits.
The state government, in its response dated September 17, attributed the delay to Meghalaya’s complex land tenure system where most land is under private, clan and community ownership, stating that fencing in remote areas would face pilferage and damage. It said Deputy Commissioners are now identifying vulnerable pits near human settlements.
On the stalled closure policy, the government said the Oversight Committee in its tenth sitting on August 10, 2026 has asked the Technical Committee to re-examine the Detailed Project Reports submitted by the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited before taking a final decision.
Regarding missing coal, the High Court in its August 31 order had noted that out of 37,449.53 MT found outside CIL depots, FIRs were filed for only 4,141.83 MT. Out of the total 1,92,840.13 MT flagged in the Garuda UAV aerial survey, the government claimed FIRs have been lodged for the entire quantity, but the Committee said police case numbers and probe status are still not provided.
The government provided a district-wise breakup of the missing coal.
In South Garo Hills, where 35.07 metric tonnes was reported missing, only scattered old stock washed away by rain was found. In South West Khasi Hills, the 792.05 metric tonnes reported missing was not traced as the area was found to be a non-coal mining area with only traces of burnt wood and charcoal.
In West Khasi Hills, an FIR has been filed for the 261.27 metric tonnes reported missing.
In East Jaintia Hills, where 36,361 metric tonnes was reported missing, FIR has been filed for 20,686 metric tonnes. Of the remaining, 2,406 metric tonnes matched old seized coal while 13,269 metric tonnes corresponded to claims made by coal owners whose stock was not covered in the 2022 aerial survey.
The report also flagged fresh illegal mining. Taking cognisance of a report in Highland Post on September 2 on a fresh pit at Sakhain village in East Jaintia Hills, the Range Forest Officer confirmed the digging. A case was registered at Khliehriat PS, but the Superintendent of Police’s report did not show seizure of equipment though photographs established its presence, it said.
Over Rs 428 crore meant for environmental restoration remains blocked, with Rs 74.02 crore out of Rs 100 crore deposited with CPCB and Rs 354.52 crore in the Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund lying unutilised due to non-submission of adequate proposals. The government maintained that proposals require detailed examination as per the NGT-approved Action Plan and Revised Guidelines to ensure judicious utilisation.
The audit of Star Cement Limited, which had sought approval for 52,670 MT per month and transported 3,06,063.27 MT in FY 2025-26 from outside the state, remains incomplete. The company has sought two months to compile and reconcile records including E-Way Bills, Mineral Transport Challans, invoices and weighment slips.
The committee noted that proposals for State and District-level Public Grievance Committees and an Ex-Gratia Assistance Policy have not been accepted, with the government stating that such matters fall within the executive domain and that creating parallel mechanisms would have revenue implications. The Comprehensive Action Plan for fixing responsibility on officers for detection of illegal mining is still awaiting approval of the competent authority.
On compensation, the committee noted that no payment has been made to the next of kin of Late Durba Rai, whose body was recovered from an unprotected illegal mine pit in Khliehriat. In the Saipung case, enquiry found no evidence of foul play and the body was disposed of after post-mortem and collection of DNA samples.
