Govt rejects direction by NGT panel over details on 32 Mt coal

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 18, 2019

SHILLONG: The state government has rejected the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT)-constituted committee to provide details on the 32 metric tons of coal lying in the different parts of the state and to conduct an inquiry into the illegal exporting of coal to Bangladesh. 

After chairing a meeting held here on Friday, chairman of the committee Justice (retd) BP Katakey informed that the state government has filed an application raising certain objections relating to certain orders and directions passed by the committee. 

Katakey however said the committee has decided to take up the application in the next sitting scheduled to be held on November 11-12, since one of its members has expressed his inability to continue as member of the committee. 

He informed that the committee has requested the director of ISL Dhanbad to nominate another member. 

Asked, the chairman said the state government in its application had stated that few orders and directions of the committee are beyond the direction issued by the Supreme Court in its  judgment passed on July 3, this year and directions of the NGT.

“According to the state government, we cannot make inquiry relating to the export of coal to Bangladesh and we cannot make any inquiry relating to the breakup of 32 lakh metric tons of coal which according to them is available for auction and transportation. They said we should concentrate only to the environment issues and nothing more and that MEPRF fund should be released to them so that they can take steps required for improvement of environment,” he said. 

The state government in its affidavit filed before the Supreme Court has claimed that 32 lakh metric tons of coal is lying in the different parts of the state.

However, the committee on received of a representation alleging that that much of coal is not available on the ground, has directed the government to provide details district wise on September 26. 

Earlier, the committee has also directed the state government to conduct an inquiry into the alleged illegal exporting of coal to Bangladesh by over 461 trucks and to accordingly punish the officials involved in the scam. 

Asked, Katakey said, “It is correct that the NGT has directed us to look into the restoration of environment. Number two is to see no illegal transportation of coal is carried out. Supreme Court has said that it would be your responsibility to see that this transportation of 32 lakh metric tons of coal which according to the government still exist, is properly done and e-auction is properly done by the Coal India limited. For the purpose of that only, we have asked the state government to let us know where this 32 lakh metric tons of coal is lying in which depot in which places so that we can verify whether this actually exit or not but the state government is not willing to give us that information.” 

“We will take up the application on the next date and will pass some order and if the order goes against the application then definitely, they will approach either the NGT or the Supreme Court,” he said.