Shillong, Sep 19: The Meghalaya government will file a rejoinder on the report of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court, which had alleged that illegal mining and hill cutting was being carried out in Ri-Bhoi and East Khasi Hills.
“We are in the process of studying and formulating our stand on the report of the CEC and it will be finalised by next week,” a source said today.
The state’s position is that the CEC has overlooked certain factors, such as Meghalaya being a Sixth Schedule area where the district councils have a mandate over land and other aspects.
“Those things we have to highlight and so we are in the process of studying and formulating our strategy and we will seek some modification as required,” the source added.
The CEC report is a recommendation and it is up to the Supreme Court to give a final order. The Meghalaya government is not opposed to the CEC providing a recommendation but feels that it should be suitable to the unique conditions in the state viz a vis the Sixth Schedule.
“Solutions that may be possible in other states may not be possible here. So all those things are to be apprised,” the source said.
The CEC report recommends restoration of the entire area occupied by the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) and surrounding buildings and a minimum fine of Rs 150 crore on the varsity for violation of forest laws.
The CEC observed that USTM encroached upon and utilised forest land without obtaining prior approval of the central government under Section 2 of the Forest Act 1980.
It also recommended that in view of “rampant” large-scale illegal mining in Ri-Bhoi all mining, quarrying and crushing activities in the district be suspended until a multi-disciplinary committee headed by the Additional Director General of Forests (Forest Conservation) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) conducts a comprehensive review of all permissions, including certificates of forest/non-forest land, status of encroachment, muck disposal practices and compliance with approved mining plans and environmental safeguards.
The CEC report concerns IA No. 125603 & 125604 of 2025 (filed in WP(C) No. 202 of 1995 (TN Godavarman vs Union of India and others) by Jitul Deka regarding alleged illegal mining and hill cutting and the consequent rampant environmental degradation in the two districts of Meghalaya and its trans-boundary impact on Assam, particularly Guwahati city and the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary.
The CEC also asked the Meghalaya government to constitute an expert committee within one month to re-examine and harmonize the criteria for identification of ‘forests’ under the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (Management and Control of Forests) Act 1958 and the Meghalaya Forest Regulation (Amendment) Act 2012, in conformity with the principles laid down by the Supreme Court.
