Shillong, Feb 21: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Monday alleged that the NPP-led MDA government is trying to find ways and means to legalize the transportation of coal extracted illegally, as some people at the helm of affairs are benefiting ‘immensely’ from it.

In a press statement issued here on Monday, VPP chief Ardent M. Basaiawmoit claimed that the state government is now coming up with a notification to allow the transportation of coal, from different states and even outside the country to Bangladesh via Meghalaya as some people including those who are at the helm of affairs have become “millionaires” from the alleged illegal coal trade in the state.

“It was also told that some people have become millionaires, and that includes some of those who are at the helm of affairs in the state today, from this illegal activity,” he said.

“This is nothing but to conceal illegal coal mining in the state which has been there since the banning of rat hole mining in the state,” he further said while adding that as a result of this continuing illegal transportation of coal in the state, roads and many bridges are in a very bad shape, and poses a serious risk to commuters and travellers.

Slamming the state government for claiming that there is no illegal transportation of coal in the state, Basaiawmoit said people are witness to the plying of coal laden trucks on the road everywhere, both day and night since the ban came into effect.

He cited that due to accidents and collisions by these overloaded coal trucks it results in traffic jams on roads and national highways every now and then.

“Ultimately, the people and the citizens of the state have to bear the brunt of these corrupt practices indulge by those who are in power,” he said.