Latest news with #HSThangkhiew
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
HC slams Meghalaya over missing coal, min says ‘washed away in rain'
Guwahati: Days after the Meghalaya high court slammed the state govt for the mysterious disappearance of nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of illegally mined coal from depots in two villages, a cabinet minister offered an explanation — monsoon rains might have washed it away. 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like I lost my IT job & thought I'd never be in tech again. Now I teach AI to students & adult learners CNA Read More Undo 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.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Nearly 4,000 MT of coal vanishes from 2 sites in Meghalaya, HC seeks accountability
Shillong: The High Court of Meghalaya has sought accountability from the state government and its agencies after nearly 4,000 metric tonnes (MT) of illegally mined coal vanished from two coal depots in the state-Rajaju and Diengngan villages-despite the stock being previously recorded through official surveys. In a scathing observation, the High Court bench headed by Justice HS Thangkhiew, which heard the matter on Thursday, has asked authorities to identify the individuals or officials responsible for allowing the disappearance of coal that had already been detected and flagged for action. The revelation comes from the 31st interim report submitted by the Justice (Retd) BP Katakey Committee, which is monitoring coal mining and transportation issues in the state. The report states that during ground verification, only 2.5 MT of coal was found at Diengngan against the 1,839.03 MT earlier recorded by the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA), while at Rajaju, just 8 MT remained out of the 2,121.62 MT recorded. The court observed that this illegal coal was detected much earlier, and yet, "unidentified persons" managed to lift and transport the coal, raising serious questions about enforcement on the ground. It directed the state to take urgent action to trace those responsible and ensure officials under whose watch the lapse occurred are held to account. Apart from the vanishing coal, the report also highlighted several unresolved issues around the disposal of re-assessed and re-verified inventoried coal stockpiled at Coal India Limited (CIL) depots. Following the court's order dated June 2, meetings were held with various stakeholders, including CIL, to formulate a more reliable and expeditious method of auctioning the remaining inventoried coal. CIL submitted four proposals, three of which are already part of the Revised Comprehensive Plan, 2022, even as the committee has recommended the inclusion of two new clauses mandating that full payment must be made within 120 days, and that coal be lifted within 120 days of full payment. Failure to comply would result in bid cancellation, forfeiture of the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD), and re-auctioning of the coal. To make the auction process more inclusive and effective, the committee has also recommended that meetings be convened with local authorised coal-based industries to encourage their participation. It also proposed offering concessional rates to bulk consumers besides a suggestion was also made by CIL that the auction process be temporarily paused until all pending issues are resolved. The court noted that the state has accepted this recommendation and has currently put fresh auctions of inventoried coal on hold. The committee also examined 21 applications from individuals claiming that their coal stocks were not reflected in the UAV survey conducted by M/s Garuda UAV and MBDA. Of these, only one claim was found to be genuine, the court observed. Fourteen applicants' coal stocks could not be matched with the survey coordinates, six were not supported by affidavits submitted to the Supreme Court, and one individual's coal was not part of the official inventory, the court noted. The high court has asked the state to clarify what action has been taken in response to these applications-whether police complaints or FIRs under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, have been filed-and to report the outcomes. A status report filed by the state in response to the Committee's 30th Interim Report confirmed that FIRs had been filed in connection with the missing coal in Rajaju and Diengngan, as well as in South Garo Hills, but provided no further details on investigation or accountability. The committee has directed deputy commissioners to cross-check the physical coal stock with UAV survey data and lodge FIRs in cases of significant discrepancies. The report also addressed the issue of mismatch between truck numbers and transport challans, stating the discrepancy arose from mechanical breakdowns and reloading of coal onto alternate vehicles, and not from fraudulent documentation. Overloading concerns are reportedly being addressed by enforcement teams. On the reported death of a coal miner in Musiang village, a police report has found the claim to be false. Regarding ongoing efforts to regulate and monitor coal-based industries, the report noted that the source audit of coke oven plants is still in progress. The Advocate General has assured the court that the audit findings will be placed on record at the next hearing. As challenges continue with the implementation of Smart Check Gates at mining and transport points, the committee noted that integration with customs check gates is being actively explored to strengthen coal movement monitoring. The report also recorded progress in the recovery of demurrage charges, and a total of Rs 13.49 lakh has been realised so far, with Rs 5.01 lakh pending. Notices have been issued to recover the outstanding amount, the court was informed. Taking into account the multiple pending issues related to coal auction, illegal mining, missing coal stocks, and mine closures, the court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on August 25, and directed that copies of the 31st interim report be made available to all relevant parties for compliance and further action. PTI>
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Nearly 4,000 MT of coal vanishes from 2 sites in Meghalaya, HC seeks accountability
Shillong, The High Court of Meghalaya has sought accountability from the state government and its agencies after nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of illegally mined coal vanished from two coal depots in the state—Rajaju and Diengngan villages—despite the stock being previously recorded through official surveys. Nearly 4,000 MT of coal vanishes from 2 sites in Meghalaya, HC seeks accountability In a scathing observation, the High Court bench headed by Justice HS Thangkhiew, which heard the matter on Thursday, has asked authorities to identify the individuals or officials responsible for allowing the disappearance of coal that had already been detected and flagged for action. The revelation comes from the 31st interim report submitted by the Justice BP Katakey Committee, which is monitoring coal mining and transportation issues in the state. The report states that during ground verification, only 2.5 MT of coal was found at Diengngan against the 1,839.03 MT earlier recorded by the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority , while at Rajaju, just 8 MT remained out of the 2,121.62 MT recorded. The court observed that this illegal coal was detected much earlier, and yet, "unidentified persons" managed to lift and transport the coal, raising serious questions about enforcement on the ground. It directed the state to take urgent action to trace those responsible and ensure officials under whose watch the lapse occurred are held to account. Apart from the vanishing coal, the report also highlighted several unresolved issues around the disposal of re-assessed and re-verified inventoried coal stockpiled at Coal India Limited depots. Following the court's order dated June 2, meetings were held with various stakeholders, including CIL, to formulate a more reliable and expeditious method of auctioning the remaining inventoried coal. CIL submitted four proposals, three of which are already part of the Revised Comprehensive Plan, 2022, even as the committee has recommended the inclusion of two new clauses mandating that full payment must be made within 120 days, and that coal be lifted within 120 days of full payment. Failure to comply would result in bid cancellation, forfeiture of the Earnest Money Deposit , and re-auctioning of the coal. To make the auction process more inclusive and effective, the committee has also recommended that meetings be convened with local authorised coal-based industries to encourage their participation. It also proposed offering concessional rates to bulk consumers besides a suggestion was also made by CIL that the auction process be temporarily paused until all pending issues are resolved. The court noted that the state has accepted this recommendation and has currently put fresh auctions of inventoried coal on hold. The committee also examined 21 applications from individuals claiming that their coal stocks were not reflected in the UAV survey conducted by M/s Garuda UAV and MBDA. Of these, only one claim was found to be genuine, the court observed. Fourteen applicants' coal stocks could not be matched with the survey coordinates, six were not supported by affidavits submitted to the Supreme Court, and one individual's coal was not part of the official inventory, the court noted. The high court has asked the state to clarify what action has been taken in response to these applications—whether police complaints or FIRs under the Mines and Minerals Act, 1957, have been filed—and to report the outcomes. A status report filed by the state in response to the Committee's 30th Interim Report confirmed that FIRs had been filed in connection with the missing coal in Rajaju and Diengngan, as well as in South Garo Hills, but provided no further details on investigation or accountability. The committee has directed deputy commissioners to cross-check the physical coal stock with UAV survey data and lodge FIRs in cases of significant discrepancies. The report also addressed the issue of mismatch between truck numbers and transport challans, stating the discrepancy arose from mechanical breakdowns and reloading of coal onto alternate vehicles, and not from fraudulent documentation. Overloading concerns are reportedly being addressed by enforcement teams. On the reported death of a coal miner in Musiang village, a police report has found the claim to be false. Regarding ongoing efforts to regulate and monitor coal-based industries, the report noted that the source audit of coke oven plants is still in progress. The Advocate General has assured the court that the audit findings will be placed on record at the next hearing. As challenges continue with the implementation of Smart Check Gates at mining and transport points, the committee noted that integration with customs check gates is being actively explored to strengthen coal movement monitoring. The report also recorded progress in the recovery of demurrage charges, and a total of ₹13.49 lakh has been realised so far, with ₹5.01 lakh pending. Notices have been issued to recover the outstanding amount, the court was informed. Taking into account the multiple pending issues related to coal auction, illegal mining, missing coal stocks, and mine closures, the court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on August 25, and directed that copies of the 31st interim report be made available to all relevant parties for compliance and further action. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Meghalaya HC seeks report on criminal cases against MPs, MLAs
Shillong: The Meghalaya high court has sought a fresh status report on the six pending criminal cases against MPs and MLAs in the HS Thangkhiew, in an order on May 13, said, "Accordingly, list this matter on 1st August, 2025 for fresh status report".A status report filed by the state on May 9 indicated that there are six pending cases in three districts that include East Khasi Hills (3), West Jaintia Hills (1) and West Garo Hills (2). On the other hand, the HC on Tuesday said it would hear a PIL filed by Seng Khasi Hima Mawsynram (SKHM) against the alleged attempt to prevent them from carrying out their traditional religious practices at Mawsynram village in East Khasi Hills District. A bench of Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said, "Select members of this tribe call themselves Niam Khasi and profess to practice Hindu Sanatan Dharma. This section has filed this public interest litigation through the petitioner." The petitioner in the case is president of SKHM, Tyllilang Myrthong."There is a serious dispute between this section and another, also belonging to the Khasi tribe, Syiem of Hima Mawsynram, Mawsynram Syiemship, over a piece and parcel of land and property in Mawsynram village. At present, it is under the control of the Headman or Rangbah Shnong Dorbar, Mawsynram," the HC said."The petitioner appearing in person submits that the latter section of Khasis has wrongfully taken possession of the land and property and is preventing them from carrying out their age -old religious practices on this property," the HC stated and fixed the next hearing on the matter on June 18.
