Failure to comply with Meghalaya SC, NGT directives on illegal coal mining: report

Shillong: In a preliminary report submitted by Justice (retd) BP Katakey , the authorities in Meghalaya have issued instructions from the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to stop illegal coal mining. Failure to comply has been revealed.

Preliminary findings in a 41-page report dated 23 May 2022 indicate that the Meghalaya Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Regulations, 2022, in addition to the recent notification on 24 March 2022 No instructions were issued. The Supreme Court and the NGT have complied with the relevant authorities.
Details of non-compliance have been identified in the preliminary results. In addition, the report makes recommendations in point form to ensure implementation of outstanding guidelines, so that appropriate agencies can deal with various aspects.

The report was placed before a full bench of the Meghalaya High Court during a hearing on a PIL here on Tuesday.
Justice BP Katakey has been appointed by the court to head a committee to recommend steps to be taken by the state in compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court and the NGT, including coal extracted earlier. sell out.

The court said that it is unfortunate that the orders given by the Supreme Court and NGT are being violated and the instructions issued are not being implemented and directed that in the preliminary report dated May 23, 2022, The recommendations made should be taken up immediately. Attention was paid to notes and related matters.
It is clarified that the time for implementation of the pending instructions will not be counted from today or from the date of the present suo motu action agency, but from the relevant dates when such instructions were issued, he would direct all concerned authorities. He said Organize your actions and ensure full implementation of instructions within four weeks from the date.
The court further directed that Justice Katakey would continue to monitor the implementation of the recommendations, including the pending orders and directions of the Supreme Court and the NGT.

To this end, Justice Katakey will visit Shillong from time to time, which will be facilitated by the state government. It said a secretary-level member of the state’s civil service should be attached to Justice Katakey to facilitate oversight.