Shillong, Oct 29: Retired Justice BP Katakey has asked the Meghalaya government to revise its status report on 48 issues related to illegal coal mining and submit a fresh account identifying the recommendations implemented, partly implemented and those yet to be acted upon.
Justice Katakey said he was dissatisfied with the report submitted by the government after he directed it to provide an update two to three weeks ago. He has asked the government to make the necessary changes and resubmit the report within the next two to three weeks.
“Maybe four, five, six have been fully implemented out of 48. Most of them are partly implemented, not fully,” Katakey said, adding that the revised report should clearly indicate the progress made on each issue.
He also sought a detailed report on the recent overturning of a coal-laden truck in Jaiaw Langsning that disrupted traffic for three to four hours. The report, which he expected to receive by the evening, is expected to establish whether the coal was illegally mined or whether its transportation violated the prescribed procedures.
“Even if it is legally sourced coal, then [the report should say] whether the transportation was illegal, meaning whether the SOP (standard operating procedure) was followed or not while transporting it,” he said.
Katakey, however, maintained that illegal coal mining and transportation continued in the state to some extent, an issue he said he had highlighted in several of his reports.
The latest concerns come amid continued scrutiny of the government’s efforts to curb illegal coal mining and regulate the movement of coal in Meghalaya. The High Court-appointed committee headed by Katakey has repeatedly flagged gaps in enforcement, investigations and compliance with transportation rules.
In its 41st interim report, submitted in September, the committee raised concerns over the implementation of earlier recommendations. The Meghalaya High Court, on October 5, described the report as “revealing and exhaustive” and permitted the state government to obtain a copy and file its response. The matter is scheduled for further consideration on November 2.
The committee’s work is part of proceedings initiated by the Meghalaya High Court in 2022 to monitor compliance with directions aimed at curbing illegal coal mining and addressing related issues, including coal disposal, transportation, enforcement and environmental restoration.
