NGT panel asks govt to submit final draft policy for transportation of coal

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 14, 2019

SHILLONG: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) constituted committee has asked the state government to submit the draft policy for auctioning and transportation of already extracted coal lying in the different parts of the state on November 21.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the charman of the committee Justice (retd) BP Katakey here on Thursday. The meeting was attended by representatives of the state government and the Coal India Limited (CIL).

After the meeting, Katakey told reporters that the state government has submitted before the committee the first draft policy for the purpose of auctioning and transportation of coal as per the Supreme Court’s directions.

Stating that he was not satisfied with the policy, Katakey however said that the committee has given its suggestions and asked the state government to incorporate the same and submit the second draft policy on November 21.

Asked, the chairman said, “I am not fully satisfied on the plan that they have submitted because to my mind there are certain discrepancies which are required to be removed.”

Asserting that a full proof mechanism for transportation is very important, he said that unless such mechanism is in place, there may be possibility of transportation of coal which was not put in for auction.

“Verbally they (government officials) assured that it would be full proof  but I told them that I want it in writing,” he said while adding that the committee has sought clarification on the fixed price has to be ascertain  and also on the coal being exported to other countries or for utilization within the country.

Katakey also suggested that everything should be videograph in presence of representatives from the CIL and the check posts should be properly manned.

“Those are the few issues which i have made certain suggestions so they will consider and come up with the second draft on November 21,” he said.

To a query, Katakey said the CIL representatives told the committee that available coal will be not be more than 32 lakh metric tons and the same will be put for auction.