HC slams Meghalaya over missing coal, min says ‘washed away in rain'
On July 24, the bench of justice HS Thangkhiew and justice W Diengdoh observed that "unknown persons, it appears, have lifted and transported the coal", and directed the govt to identify and hold accountable those responsible for safeguarding it. The court also instructed authorities to "trace the persons who have lifted this coal illegally".
State revenue and disaster management minister Kyrmen Shylla, speaking to reporters on Monday, said, "Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall.
You never know... because of rain, the coal might have swept away. Chances are very high." But, he clarified that he was not trying to justify the disappearance and admitted there was no conclusive evidence yet to determine whether the loss was due to natural causes or any illegal activity.
"I cannot blame just the rain. It could be or it could not be. I really don't have any kind of details," he said.
He asserted that any activity related to coal mining or transportation must be done in accordance with the law and that authorities must ensure illegal practices are curbed.
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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014 banned mining of coal and its transportation in Meghalaya, citing rampant unregulated and unsafe mining practices, especially the 'rat-hole' mining technique prevalent in the state.
A committee — Justice (retd) BP Katakey Committee — set up by the HC on a PIL, in one of its interim reports in July reported the disappearance of nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of illegally mined coal from two depots in Rajaju and Diengngan villages. The state govt, in its status report to the Katakey Committee's 30th interim report, indicated that an FIR was lodged, but the court stated that "no other information was given" in the status report.
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