Shillong, Jan 28: Justice BP Katakey (Retd.), appointed by the Meghalaya High Court to address the illegal coal mining and transportation issue in the state, has called for conducting aerial surveys to identify unaccounted coal and illegal mining activities. A private agency has been tasked with carrying out these surveys, with the final report, including detailed maps, expected by February 28.
Speaking to the media after chairing a meeting, Justice Katakey highlighted the need for the surveys, stating, “The government has entrusted the aerial survey to a private agency, and their representative also participated in today’s proceedings. They have already started the work, and I have directed them to submit their final report along with the map by February 28.”
The Meghalaya Basin Development Agency (MBDA) has been authorized to conduct aerial surveys at six locations within the South West Khasi Hills district. The purpose of these surveys is to identify mine openings and assess coal availability. “The MBDA has been authorized to conduct the aerial survey in six locations in South West Khasi Hills to find out the number of mine openings and the quantity of coal available. They will submit the report to me by this Friday,” Justice Katakey confirmed.
He further noted that while some mining plans have received approval under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957, legal mining operations are yet to commence in the state. “In today’s meeting, we discussed the steps taken by the government to implement the Supreme Court’s directive regarding the cessation of illegal mining activities. Despite the approval of a few mining plans by the Government of India under the 1957 Act, legal mining is yet to begin in Meghalaya. Therefore, any mining taking place currently is illegal,” Justice Katakey stated.
The committee is focused on determining whether any coal remains unaccounted for, despite the ongoing ban on illegal mining enforced by both the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal.
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