Meghalaya govt to unveil auction process for coal soon: Dy CM Tynsong

SHILLONG:

The Meghalaya Government has directed the Mining and Geology department to start the auctioning process of the 2 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of coal.

“I am sure within few weeks, we will start the auctioning process,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters here on Monday.

He further added that the Government would need to furnish all the papers for the auctioning of the coal before the committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

“We will go ahead with the open auctioning of the coal once the committee of the NGT approves the method and policy of the auction,” Tynsong added.

The NGT committee headed by Justice B. D Agarwal had asked the state government to speed up the exercise following his meeting with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest in Shillong recently.

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The transportation of coal from the mines to designated depots had started in East Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills districts.

The Deputy Chief Minister also pointed out that bringing in coal from different locations to the depots and unloading and stacking them is time-consuming.

A weighbridge is being constructed for the South West Khasi Hills coal depots, he added.

The government had notified 11 coal depots across the state, but only five would be used for the first phase of the auction.

Of the total coal to be auctioned, 75,000 MT is in East Jaintia Hills, 50,000 MT in South Khasi Hills, 25,000 MT in South West Khasi Hills and 50,000 MT in South Garo Hills district.

Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie

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