Meghalaya | Illegal transportation of coal still on in state: NGT

 | 

Shillong | Sep 16, 2019:

Despite the denial on the part of the NPP led MDA Government, the three-member independent committee of NGT has revealed that illegal transportation of coal is still continuing in Meghalaya.

"The illegal transportation of coal is still continuing in the State. There was no order from any court of law to permit transportation of coal since January 01, 2019," Justice B.P. Katakey (retired judge), who heads the three member independent committee of the NGT, told reporters here today.

Justice Katakey, however, said that the illegal transportation of coal has reduced by 80 percent.

According to him, they received a representation from one person who alleged that illegal coal mining is still taking place in West Khasi Hills.

"The State Government had admitted that there are some problems in the area. An inquiry is being conducted by the State and the report will be submitted to the committee," he said.

Meanwhile, Justice Katakey also informed that a video was recently shared by the Ri Bhoi Youth Federation before NGT about an alleged illegal transportation of coal.

He further informed that the SP in his report submitted to the committee admitted 49 cases of illegal transportation of coal being registered from January 1 this year till the time of submission of the report.

"But so far the SP is yet to act on the complaint which was filed. We have asked the Additional Director General of Police to submit full report on this matter since we are unhappy with the inaction on the part of the SP," Justice Katakey said.

Image: Representational