8.15 lakh metric tons of re-assessed & re-inventories coal in Meghalaya to be auction

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 21, 2023

Setting aside all speculation to the remaining quantity of re-assessed coals in Meghalaya after the ban on rathole coal mining, the Meghalaya Mining & Geology Department declared total balance quantity of re-assessed/re-inventoried coal as of date stand at 8,15,386.635 MT and it will have to be put to auction within the timeline specified.

The Meghalaya Mining & Geology Department through an official public notice issued said that the said balanced quantity of coal has been re-assessed/re-inventoried by means of drone survey, physical verification or combination of both, during the year 2022-2023.

As per the exercise, the total volume of coal after conclusion of the exercise conducted in the entire state has been found to be 14,10,710.41 MT. Out of the 14,10,710.41 MT of Coal, volume of 5,95,323.775 MT of coal has already been auctioned by CIL and the process of lifting, transportation etc., from designated depots is in progress.

The Mining & Geology Department said that all Coal Owners whose Coal falling within the respective Co-ordinates and duly re-inventoried are hereby notified to apply for Transit Pass (T.P) immediately with respective Deputy Commissioner, in order to transport such coal from mine/pit head to designated CIL Depots.

The public notice warned that any Coal dumps found to be lying outside the re-inventoried list and specified Co-ordinates, shall be seized and appropriate action will be taken against the owner under relevant provisions of the MMDR Act, 1957.

In case no coal or volume lower than the reassessed coal of a particular coal owner is detected, necessary action shall be initiated against the said coal owner as per relevant provisions of the MMDR Act, 1957, according to the public notice.

The Department maintained that once the timeline for auction of the 14,10,710.41 MT Lakhs MT Coal is completed, all remaining Coal dumped/stacked or found lying either within or outside the specific Co-ordinates shall be confiscated and taken into custody of the Government. The seized coal will be disposed off through open auction by the Government and proceeds accruing from such auction shall be deposited as government revenue, at the sole risk and responsibility of the owner concerned, who shall have no claim whatsoever over the sale value accruing from the auction.