The Meghalaya High Court has said that there has been no substantial progress made by the State government to comply with the 26th interim report submitted by Justice (Retd.) B.P. Katakey Committee.
A division bench of Justice Hamarsan Sing Thangkhiew and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh while hearing a PIL on illegal coal mining said that the State government has submitted a status report on February 7 indicating steps taken on the recommendations made in the interim report.
Advocate General Amit Kumar, representing the state submitted that action is being taken on survey by satellite imagery, closure of abandoned mines, verification of the allegations of illegal coal mining, setting up of smart check gates and the status of auction.
“Though a point-wise report has been provided, it is noted that there has not been any substantial progress under these heads,” the court said.
However, the court said the report is taken on board, and made part of the record.
Meanwhile, the court said the issue of coal mining has to be tacked on a war footing, especially on re-auction of re-inventoried coal, apart from other urgent steps.
The court had perused the 27th interim report submitted by the committee on February 7.
“As the 27th interim report is exhaustive with very important inputs, this Court deems it fit to call for a detailed reply on the same, within two weeks,” the division bench said.
The next hearing on the PIL will be held on March 6, 2025.
It may be mentioned that the Justice Katakey committee, in its 26th interim report has recommended the state government use aerial surveys to find out the extent of illegal coal mining.
An aerial survey would help identify where illegally mined coal is being stored outside designated depots and help the process of sealing illegal mine openings. The committee also recommended the urgent implementation of approved schemes for miners to enable them to have an alternative source of livelihood.
According to the committee, there are thousands of mine openings and in East Jaintia Hills, with more than 22,000 found by the North Eastern Science Application Centre (NESAC) either abandoned or active or which can be activated within a very short time, having regard to the importance of closure of such mine openings, which is required to prevent further illegal coal mining activities including mining and transportation.
The committee also recommended the urgent implementation of approved schemes prepared by the state government to offer alternative sources of livelihood to coal miners and thereby encourage them to give up illegal coal mining.
