The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) fact-finding committee, led by state BJP vice-president Bernard N Marak MDC, has formally requested an extension to submit its report on alleged illegal coal mining and transportation activities in Meghalaya.
Initially given 40 days by the state unit to gather evidence, the committee is now seeking an additional two weeks due to disruptions caused by the recent elections.
“We have asked all committee members to submit their reports from the coal mining districts,” Marak stated. “Since there was an election during this period, we’ve requested a 14-day extension. We expect to finalise and submit the report within the next 12 days.”
The investigation involves on-the-ground inspections and consultations with civil society groups, whose feedback is also being incorporated, he added.
“We’ve already visited some areas but the findings cannot be disclosed at this stage,” the Tura MDC said. The completed report will first be submitted to the state BJP head office and, following protocol, forwarded to the central leadership in Delhi.
This request comes amid the party’s intensified effort to expose the scale of illegal coal mining and transportation in the state – a contentious issue that has long been simmering beneath the surface. Marak referenced recent revelations made by a committee led by Justice (retd) BP Katakey, which is responsible for ensuring the state government’s compliance with the National Green Tribunal’s directives on coal mining.
“If the Justice Katakey committee uncovers any illegality, it will carry legal weight,” Marak remarked. “We have been raising this issue for a while now, but there has been no substantial action so far.”
