Guwahati: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated suo motu proceedings after a deadly explosion at an illegal rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills that killed 30 miners, according to media reports.
Several workers trapped underground after a dynamite blast in Mynsyngat, according to a February 6 report.
The report also flagged potential violations of environmental laws, given that hazardous rat-hole mining had been prohibited years ago.
Justice Prakash Shrivastava, chairperson of the NGT, along with Expert Member A. Senthil Vel, noted that the incident suggested breaches of prior tribunal directives and possible violations of critical environmental legislation, including the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, the Indian Forest Act, and the Environment (Protection) Act.
The tribunal observed that the case involved serious concerns regarding compliance with environmental standards and the enforcement of statutory regulations. Citing the Supreme Court’s recognition of its power to initiate suo motu actions, the NGT formally registered the matter as a case for investigation.
Authorities named in the case include the Meghalaya Chief Secretary, the Central Pollution Control Board, the Integrated Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Shillong, and the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills.
They have been instructed to submit their responses in affidavit form at least one week before the next hearing on May 19.