Those at the helm of affairs are becoming millionaires from illegal coal trade, says VPP

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 21, 2022

The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Monday said that some people including those who are at the helm of affairs have become “millionaires” from the alleged illegal coal trade in the state.

“It was also told that some people have become millionaires, and that includes some of those who are at the helm of affairs in the state today, from this illegal activity,” VPP chief Ardent M Basaiawmoit said in a statement issued here.

Alleging that the NPP-led MDA government is trying to find ways and means to legalize the transportation of coal, extracted illegally, Basaiawmoit said that is why the state government is now coming up with a notification to allow the transportation of coal, from different states and even outside the country to Bangladesh via Meghalaya.

“This is nothing but to conceal illegal coal mining in the state which has been there since the banning of rat hole mining in the state,” he said while adding that as a result of this continuing illegal transportation of coal in the state, roads and many bridges are in a very bad shape, and poses a serious risk to commuters and travellers.

Referring to a popular phrase by Adolf Hitler that if you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed, the VPP chief said, “It implies that no matter what, if any immoral and illegal action is repeated continuously, people will eventually accept it as normal. This is exactly what this present government is doing, “tell the people of the state that there is no illegal extraction of coal, repeatedly and continuously, they will accept it as the truth”.

The former Nongkrem legislator further stated that the worst part is that even death failed to prick their conscience. As the citizens of the state we have seen through, various media reports about the deaths of many workers inside the coal mines in different parts of the state.

However, the state government continues to deny that there is any kind of illegal extraction of coal, he added.

Further, Basaiawmoit also slammed the state government for claiming that there is no illegal transportation of coal in the  state, where as people witness the plying of coal laden trucks on the road everywhere, both day and night since the ban came into effect.

He cited that due to accidents and collisions by these overloaded coal trucks it results in traffic jams in roads and national highways every now and then.

Ultimately, the people and the citizens of the state have to bear the brunt of these corrupt practices indulge by those who are in power.

Stating that the present dispensation perhaps feels that all the people in the state are fools and that they can be easily hoodwink by them, the VPP president said however, this is a reminder to all those who think they can commit any crime and nothing can happen will one day have to face the law, and stand trial before the justice system.