LCS allows 461 trucks to illegal export coal to Bangladesh: NGT panel

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 16, 2019

SHILLONG: Over 461 trucks were allowed by a land custom station in South Garo Hills District for illegally exporting coal to Bangladesh, which has prompted the NGT committee to order an inquiry and accordingly punish the officials involved in the scam. 

“We have directed the state government to make an inquiry and get back to us. They have to pin-point the concerned officers who are responsible for these illegal activities,” chairman of the committee retired Justic BP Katakey told reporters after a meeting held here on Monday. 

Earlier, the state government on being asked has informed that only three challans were issued by the land custom station at Gasuapara in the month of May to three trucks for exporting coal to Bangladesh.

Shockingly, the custom department in its report however informed that they have allowed 461 trucks to cross over to Bangladesh in the same month, Katakey said. 

According to him, if the 461 trucks are carrying 9 metric tons of coal each, it means that more than 3 lakh metric tons of coal was illegally exported to the neighbouring country, thereby causing revenue loss to the state exchequer.

Stating that it is not the job of the committee to remind the state government to perform its duty, Katakey however said, “But still we have directed them to make an inquiry as the state is losing the revenue… (which) otherwise could be spend for some public purposes.”