Meghalaya Chief Minister refused to reply on the 1.41 lakh metric tons of coals in West Jaintia Hills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 11, 2020

The truth behind the1.41 lakh metric tons of coals in West Jaintia Hills District continue to beg answer as Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma refused to make any reply despite repeated demand from Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul M Sangma on Wednesday evening.

Reacting to the reply by the Chief Minister on the various issues raised during the No Confidence Motion, the Leader of Opposition demanded the Chief Minister to come clean on the 1.41 lakh metric tons of coals lying in Khliehrangnah Shangpung, West Jaintia Hills District. He also quoted on the letter submitted by the Youth Wing of the Jaintia Coal Miners Dealers Association alleging illegal transportation of coals and illegal mining of coals.

The Leader of Opposition stick to his stance that the 32 lakh metric tons of coals declared in the inventory before the Supreme Court no longer exist and even dared the Chief Minister to go together to verify the same.

The Chief Minister said that he has replied to everything. But he did not clarified on the 1.41 lakh metric tons of coals or the 32 lakh metric tons of coals.

It may be recalled here that on 28^th October, last the Leader of Opposition carried out the spot inspection at Khliehrangnah as to verify the total reserve of unclaimed coals of 1 lakh, 41,000 metric made by the Meghalaya Government as per FIR lodged on 23rd June, 2020.

The Divisional Mining Officer filed the FIR on a basis of complaint received from Damehi Lamare with DC, West Jaintia Hills District reporting fresh extraction and dumping of coal at Khliehrangnah area (WJH), which is a violation of the Supreme Court order.

The Leader of Opposition said that the total reserve of unclaimed coals of 1.41 lakh metric tons made by MDA Government as on 23rd June, last is a “predetermined figure” as after the on spot verification the quantity of coals could be around 30000 to 40000 metric tons only. He also informed that Government is presently initiating steps for auctioning the unclaimed coals of 1.41 metric tons.

This is nothing but “the implementation of a well scripted modus operandi” carried out by the MDA Government in the State of Meghalaya to serve the interest of the powerful people, rued the former Chief Minister. The coal were illegally mined and then declared as unclaimed coal without finding who is the real owner and then auctioned as to legalize the illegal works.