Shillong, May 2: Justice (Retd) BP Katakey, head of the single-member committee constituted by the Meghalaya High Court, has recommended verification of transport documentation for coal transported by Star Cement Meghalaya Limited and Star Cement Limited.
The committee, in its 37th interim report said that all documents required under the 2024 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) must be verified. This includes scrutinising records for the transportation of 2.93 lakh metric tons of coal, which occurred over 8,174 truckloads between early January 2025 and late February 2026. It recommended legal action if these documents are found lacking.
The report calls for investigations into landowners’ involvement in illegal mining activities as well as the need for thorough checks to ensure compliance with the 2024 SOP.
Katakey said strict compliance of various clauses of the SOP is mandatory to prevent illegal coal mining activities, including transportation of coal into and from Meghalaya; otherwise it may not be feasible to stop the illegal coal mining activities.
The committee also sought for an investigation regarding the recent incident involving the transportation of coal into the state of Meghalaya. A significant concern arose after a truck, bearing registration ML-11-A-1473, was involved in an accident on March 4, 2026, at Bindihati village. The accident resulted in several injuries and the tragic death of a woman. Consequently, a case was registered under Khliehriat PS Case No. 106(03)/2026.
It also recommended the government to reconsider providing adequate compensation to the legal heirs of the deceased, Mosaid Ali, which stems from findings reported by the Superintendent of Police for East Jaintia Hills District, which stated that the death occurred due to a fall in a mine pit.
The committee in its report also said the state government must take steps on the transportation of 155,390.6 metric tons of illegally mined coal, out of 1,92,840.13 metric ton detected during an aerial survey by Garuda UAV. It suggested facilitation of this coal to designated depots by the end of April 2026.
Additionally, it called for the lodging of FIR regarding the remaining missing of 33,307.7 metric tons (37449.53 MT minus 4141.83 MT) of illegally mined coal, which has not been done despite the recommendation made by the Committee in its 35th interim report dated January 27.
The committee has also proposed the formation of a high-level monitoring committee to monitor proper implementation of the proposals and utilization of fund, release of which has been approved by the Oversight Committee constituted by the NGT, both out of Rs. 100 Crore in deposit with CPCB and Rs. 365,84,78,884 available in MEPRF.
The panel stated that the oversight committee has meanwhile sanctioned Rs. 17,52,34,294 out of Rs. 100 Crore in deposit with CPCB and Rs. 48,47,53,416, out of the amount in deposit in MEPRF.
The Katakey led panel also recommended for taking of necessary action based on the report of the High Level Monitoring Committee, relating to non-implementation /delay in implementation of the projects, if any, and non-utilization/mis-utilization/mis-appropriation of fund, if any, by the authorities.
According to the panel the High Level Monitoring Committee should be headed by an officer not below the rank of the Additional Chief Secretary.
The members will include the Secretary, Finance Department, Secretary, Mining and Geology Department, DMR and the Head(s) of the concerned departments, which have been given the responsibility of implementation of the project(s).
