MDA’s Govt. in denial mode over illegal transportation of coals: JCMDA

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 5, 2020

Admitting there is illegal transportation of coals through Ri Bhoi District and East Jaintia Hills District Jaintia Hills Coal Miner’s & Dealers Association (JCMDA) Youth Wing on Thursday lambasted the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance Government for being in denial mode about the presence of illegal transportation of coal; but the stakeholders and the citizens are aware of the ground reality.

In a letter to Chief Secretary, Meghalaya, the Association informed that this is evident from the frequent news report and the frequent arrest and seizure of coal loaded truck and the difference cases that have been registered across the state.

The letter said “We fail to understand as to how the coal can be illegally transported to Assam inspite of the numerous police check posts, DMR Check gate, District Council gates and other departments check gates. This simply implies that there may be connivance between the illegal coal traders and the government officials as it is nearly impossible to transport the coal illegally without having an accomplice with the people in the government.”

They also said that in Jaintia Hills alone, there are about 9 (nine) police check points, about 4 Weighbridges, 2 DMR Check Points, 2 District Council check points, transport department check point, and multiple forest department check points as such there is a strong possibilities that there is a connivance of this check points in matter relating to illegal transportation of coal with the illegal coal traders.

The media both local and other media in Assam have vigorously reported about the illegal transportation of coal between Meghalaya and Assam in connivance with the government officials of both state, the letter said that there is huge cash transaction for this illegal coal trade between certain agents and some government officials.

“We learnt that a coal trader has to shell about Rs. 1, 00, 000/- per truck (Rupees One Lac only) to be able to illegally transport to Assam,” they added.

The Association urged the police department to check the CCTV footage of all toll gate from Ratacherra and Byrnihat, then one would see how the coal laden trucks are moving freely without any stoppage.

“We are aware of the fact that 19000 MT of seized coal was auctioned by the O/o the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya in recent months. To our knowledge, transport Challan for the transportation of this auctioned coal has already been issued. To our understanding, this Challan are not meant to be sold to anyone but only for the purpose of transporting the auctioned coal,” the Association said.

They also alleged this Challan are being sold to individual coal traders at a price starting Rs. 80, 000/- (Rupees Eighty Thousand only) for a Challan for transporting 12 MT of coal and even go upto Rs 2 lacs per Challan depending on the quantity of coal as per Challan. 

JCMDA alleged that handful of people are profiting illicitly because of this illegal transportation of coal and may be even people in the government because as pointed out, it is not possible to transport coal illegally to Assam without the support of the people in authority.

“We are aware of the fact that 2 Lakhs MT of coal (across the state, 75, 000 MT in EJH has been approved for auction by Coal India in line with the Supreme Court order  however we are concern and worried about the inordinate delay in starting the auction much to the disadvantages of the people,” the Association said. They urged the Government to expedite the process and begin the auction without further delay to ensure.

JCMDA urged the government and the police department to stop illegal transportation of coal across the state which has caused crores of loss to the state exchequer and to ensure that there is no further delay in the process of auctioning of coal.