Top Court bans transportation of coal in Meghalaya till Feb 19

SHILLONG, JAN 15: The Supreme Court has banned the transportation of coal from the state of Meghalaya till February 19.

“Till the next date of hearing there would not be any transportation of any coal lying on the sites,” the court said in its order passed on Tuesday.

The Apex court was hearing the petition filed by Lber Laloo seeking lifting of the ban on coal mining in the state. The next date of hearing on the matter is scheduled to be held on February 19.

Earlier in its order passed on December 4, last year, the Supreme Court had allowed transportation of already extracted and assessed coal lying in the different parts of the state till January 31.

As on May 31, 2018 the amount of extracted and assessed coal which is yet to be transported is around 1, 76,655 metric tons.

Meanwhile, the state government has also directed all authorities concerned to comply with the order passed by the apex court.

“…transportation of coal in the state of Meghalaya is hereby stopped with immediate effect. All authorities concerned are hereby directed to ensure compliance of the aforesaid directions of the Supreme Court without fail,” chief secretary Y Tsering said in his order.

The order also came after a citizens’ report titled – “Curse of unregulated coal mining in Meghalaya Vol 2” was submitted Supreme Court requesting to issue direction for putting a complete stop to coal mining in Meghalaya citing that it lead to absolute degradation of the environmental.

The 379 pages report released by a group of social activists – Angela Rngad, Agnes Kharshiing, Michael Syiem, Amita Sangma and others – on Sunday also urged the apex court not to issue further orders for transportation of coal from the state.

“Coal mining in Meghalaya has to stop completely and other forms of energy and livelihood that are climate friendly, needs investment,” the report, which also pleaded that no exemption from national regulatory laws for mining industry in Meghalaya, said.

While stating that all transportation orders rescinded and no further transportation of coal permitted, it also suggested that “any coal awaiting transportation should be taken over by the govt. and used for public sector undertakings.”

It is a fact that in spite of NGT ruling all around the state fresh mining of coal has continued and illegal transportation of coal also continues so it is imperative that court takes stock of this violation through real time satellite data, the report stated.

By Our Reporter