Due to the shortage of manpower and the presence of coal pits in far flung areas where physical access is not feasible, the State government has set up Drone Control Rooms funded through the Meghalaya Environmental and Protection Restoration Fund (MEPRF) to be used by the Police Department in various coal bearing districts to prevent and monitor illegal mining and transportation activities through technology.
As per the revised standard operating procedures (SOPs) for checking illegal mining and transportation of coal, the drones as and when they are in place should be utilised and a monthly report should be submitted on the detection or non-detection of such activities and action to be taken as per the law should be followed.
The revised SOPs also stated that the district administrations shall constitute teams and flying squads in various sectors covering all the coal bearing areas of the districts to conduct regular inspection and raids in coal mines and to detect illegal transportation of minerals especially coal.
The team shall be headed by the sector magistrate empowered under provision of law or headed by the authorised officers empowered under Section 21 of MMDR Act, 1957.
Further, since cases relating to violations of the Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 arc not disposed of as expeditiously as required and seized coal continue to lie in the State without being auction, the State government has set up by notifications a special court in each district for the purpose of providing speedy trial of offences for contravention of the provisions of sub-section (I) or sub-section (t A) of Section 4 of the MMDR Act, 1957.
The setting up of the special courts has the concurrence of the Meghalaya High Court. Henceforth, all cases relating to violations of the MMDR Act, 1957 would be filed before the special courts as notified in every district.
