Shillong, Nov 3: The Justice (Retd) B P Katakey committee has recommended lodging of an immediate FIR against 21 out of 22 individuals who claimed to have extracted coal.
In its 33rd Interim Report submitted before the Meghalaya High Court, the Katakey committee said based on physical verification no coal was mined, a claim they made in an application filed on May 28, 2024.
The committee suggested action under the provisions of the MMDR Act, 1957 in respect of 5,946 MT of coal found against the application filed by one C. Dkhar and 21 others.
The committee also recommended immediate auction of re-assessed/re-verified inventoried coal presently lying in the various CIL designated depots, in compliance with the Revised Comprehensive Plan, 2022, after amendment as per the approval granted by the Oversight Committee in its proceeding dated July 9, 2025 and also in strict compliance to the requirement of clauses 8 (j) and 10 (p) of the said plan.
According to the report of the 2, 13, 567.99 MT coal which was put up for auction, 2, 10, 004.99 MT is unsold.
It also recommended demolition of the 33 (16 in East Jaintia Hills District and 17 in West Khasi Hills District) illegally set up coke oven plants, which have not complied with the Supreme Court order dated November 25, 2024, within a period of one week. This, the committee said, would curb illegal coal mining activities in the State, including transportation.
The Katakey committee also asked the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) to conduct inspections every three months, to ensure that no illegal coke oven plant is established and operated.
The Committee also directed the immediate shifting of 920.73 MT illegally mined coal in the Rajaju and Diengngan district to CIL designated depot at Nongjri and also to take required steps for auction the said coal under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (the MMDR Act).
It also directed immediate commencement of the process of reaching out of all the coal dumps/locations as found by Garuda UAV in the aerial survey in East Jaintia Hills District, South West Khasi Hills District and West Khasi Hills District by November.
The Committee also recommended recovery of Rs. 530.59 lakh from 15 coke oven plants and Rs. 1,71,77,100 from Sakambari Ferro Alloy Pvt. Ltd.
It also directed the immediate audit of the source of coal of the remaining ferro alloy plants and captive power plants of the cement companies within one month and to initiate proceedings for recovery of the amount, if any, found to be due by such plants.
The committee has also recommended urgent consideration of the three proposals pending before the Oversight Committee and for taking the necessary decision, within 15 days.
