Some ministers of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government have been named in a report submitted to the Supreme Court regarding their alleged involvement in illegal coal mining in the state.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Madal Sumer, a resident of Jowai in West Jaiñtia Hills district, the report which has various findings on illegal coal mining in the state was submitted by senior advocate, Colin Consalves who was appointed as Amicus Curiae to assist the Apex Court on this matter.
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Sumer said that the report was submitted during the hearing held on December 4.
The Supreme Court has allowed transportation of already extracted and assessed coal lying in different parts of the state till January 31, next year.
Sumer said that Sengbreezbirth N. Marak has appealed before the Apex Court to allow transportation of 1.76 lakh metric tons of coal, which is the remaining quantity of the already extracted coal as declared in May this year by the government.
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Through his counsel, Marak suggested that the remaining quantity of coal, if any, should be seized and auctioned online.
During the course of hearing, Sumer said some private parties have filed similar petitions urging the court to allow transportation of the already extracted coal.
They raised the issue of large quantity of already extracted coal lying at several places and prayed to the Court to allow the same to be reassessed and transported.
“The court was not at all impressed with their argument, and instead questioned whether the available coal was from illegal mining. The court rejected their prayer and did not allow reassessment of the already extracted coal, as well as their request to allow transportation till May 31 next year, “ Sumer said.
Sumer said the Apex Court has remarked that both the state and Central governments should find out ways to resume coal mining in Meghalaya at the earliest.
On the ban on coal mining imposed by the NGT, the matter will be taken up in the next hearing on January 15 next year.