Meghalaya: Mukul dares to quit politics if govt's claim on quantity of coal is true

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SHILLONG:

Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma on Friday dared to quit politics if anyone can prove that the 32 lakh metric tonnes of extracted coal have not been lifted, as claimed by the state government.

Dr Mukul, who is also the former Chief Minister, said this while briefing the media after the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Shillong on Friday.

According to Dr Mukul, in the inventory which was submitted to the Supreme Court, the state made a mention of the quantity of coal available in every district.

Referring to the unclaimed coal in Nengkra, East Garo Hills, he said that the notification which was issued by the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) on October 16, it was mentioned that the total quantity of unclaimed coal is 34,074 metric tonnes.

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"But during the physical verification, I had found that there are over 5,000 metric tonnes of unclaimed coal. By mentioning 34,074 tonnes, this challan is meant to illegally carry mined coal from other districts," Dr Mukul, who is also the CLP leader, alleged.

He further said that the Nengkra-Rongjeng-Nongstoin-Shillong-Guwahati was mentioned as the route in the challan. “I fail to understand why coal trucks from Nengra have to come through this route to transport coal to Guwahati,” he said.

"I will like to urge the Chief Secretary to ask for the challans first and then verify. This is the continuation of the modus operandi to facilitate illegal mining and they don't want resumption of legal mining as per the judgment of the supreme court," he said.

According to him, this issue is no longer subjudice since the Supreme Court has already pronounced its verdict.

The State Government had filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court on April 19, 2019, where it has stated that around 32 lakh metric tonnes of extracted coal is available for auction or disposal.

The NGT had directed the State Government to furnish details on its claim including the names of the coal mine owners and also the place where the coal depots are located.

"Most of the government officers are being dictated to do certain things. They have scripted the whole modus operandi of engaging everyone in illegalities which means there is a complete misuse of the government machinery. By default, there is a breakdown of the complete government machinery.

It is for this reason that there is a rampant and repeated transfer and posting of officers. We are not going to allow the State to be looted," the former Chief Minister said.

According to him, the corrupt practices of the incumbent government are not mere allegations.

"We have watched them and have been vigilant and even tried to correct them. But unfortunately, there was no response," Dr Mukul added.