Dr. Mukul concerned at the plight of minor coal miners affected by the delay in auctioning

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 28, 2020

The maiden visit of Dr. Mukul Sangma as leader of opposition to East Jaintia Hills District eight years after inaugurating the district on 31^st July, 2012 turned out to be a bless in a disguise as he championed for minor coals miners who are adversely affected by the inordinate delay of the auctioning of coals by Coal India Limited (CIL).

Notably, on 3^rd July, 2019, the Honorable Supreme Court passed in its judgment directed the auctioning of 32 lakhs metric tons of extracted coal by Coal India Limited (CIL) but now 15 months have passed by but the Meghalaya Government and the Coal India Limited are yet to start the process of auctioning.

Dr. Mukul Sangma and Deputy Commissioner East Jaintia Hills District E Kharmalki accompanied by two Congress MLAs namely David Nongrum and Mohendra Rapsang conducted a spot inspection of the Coal Depot of the CIL located at Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District and seized coals lying at Umtyra Weigh Bridge on Wednesday’s evening. He was also accompanied by Deputy Commissioner East Jaintia Hills District E Kharmalki, Divisional Mining Officer Marshall Syrti and others.

During an interaction, Kharmalki informed Dr. Sangma that there are about 75000 metric tons of coals in the present Coal India Limited’s depot and necessary permision for lifting of coals has been issued by the Directorate of Mineral Resource (DMR) for 7 claimants/ owners.

Raising concern over the inordinate delay of auctioning of 32 lakhs metric tons of extracted coals, the former Chief Minister questioned on the piece meal process of auctioning of the extracted coals and called for the auctioning of the entire 32 lakhs metric tons of extracted coals in one time.

He also said that they should respect the judgement of the Apex Court and think about the minor miners who are facing problems with the delay of auctioning.

Dr Sangma wants an enquiry into the delay of auctioning as he questioned “why should the minor miner wait for auctioning and transportation?”

The former Chief Minister told Kharmalki the transportation of seized coals of 19000 metric tons lying in Umtyra Weigh Bridge should be done immediately.