Following up on such illegal work in the states of Goa, Odisha and Karnataka, it has been found that coal is being illegally mined in the hill state of Meghalaya as well. A huge amount of what is officially being termed as “unasessed” coal lies in the hills of the state, quarried and mined illegally.

A case on this, filed by the All Dimasa Students Union Dima Haso Dist Committee has come up before the Justice Jawad Rahim-headed National Green Tribunal (NGT). The State of Meghalaya is the Opposing Party.

On Monday (February 26) this came up as a miscellaneous application has been filed regarding unassessed coal of about 6,44,169 metric tonnes.

The counsel for the respondent submitted that in the application that it was reported that in the districts of Aemingkri and South Garo Hills Bagmara there are reports of unassessed coal. He requested bench to direct the deputy commissioner to submit a report regarding the unassessed coal.

The counsel also submitted that Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy 2012 is already in place before the state legislature.

The bench directed that the report be submitted.

–         India Legal Bureau