A committee constituted by the Meghalaya High Court has called for a detailed investigation into the disappearance of 13.02 lakh tonnes of inventoried coal, recommending that responsibility be fixed on those found accountable.
The committee, headed by retired Justice B P Katakey, raised the issue in its 41st interim report submitted before the High Court. It also highlighted pending legal proceedings involving illegally mined coal reported missing from areas outside Coal India Limited (CIL) depots.
Panel Seeks Accountability for Missing Coal
According to the committee, there is no dispute over the shortage of 13,02,456.184 metric tonnes of coal, based on the difference between the inventoried quantity and the quantity physically verified by district authorities.
The panel said a comprehensive inquiry was necessary to determine how the coal went missing, particularly in view of the Supreme Court’s direction under which the state government was treated as the receiver and custodian of the coal.
The reported shortage would be equivalent to approximately 52,000 truckloads, assuming a carrying capacity of 25 tonnes per truck.
33,307 Tonnes of Illegally Mined Coal Under Scrutiny
The committee also reviewed the status of illegally mined coal identified as missing from outside CIL depots.
It noted that 37,449.53 tonnes had been identified as missing, but FIRs had initially been registered for only 4,141.83 tonnes. This left more than 33,300 tonnes requiring further legal action.
The state later informed the committee on September 17 that FIRs had been registered for the entire quantity. However, the panel observed that police case numbers and details regarding the progress of investigations had not been provided.
The committee had previously recommended that FIRs be registered promptly for the full quantity of missing illegally mined coal.
Rat-Hole Mines Yet to Be Secured
The panel also expressed concern over the continued lack of closure and fencing of abandoned rat-hole coal mines.
It noted that no rat-hole mine had been closed or fenced so far, despite repeated directions to secure abandoned mine openings.
According to the report, the state’s proposed action plan for closure and fencing was still pending, while a final decision on implementing the detailed project reports was awaited.
Fresh Illegal Mining Case Reported
The committee further referred to a suspected fresh case of illegal coal mining at Sakhain village in East Jaintia Hills district.
An FIR was registered at Khliehriat police station on September 3 following reports of a newly dug coal pit. The committee, however, observed that the police report did not mention the seizure of mining equipment allegedly used at the site, despite photographs reportedly showing such equipment.
Meghalaya’s Anti-Illegal Mining Plan Awaits Approval
A comprehensive action plan prepared by the Mining and Geology Department to prevent, detect and control illegal coal mining and transportation was also yet to receive approval from the competent authority.
The proposed plan includes identifying vulnerable areas and fixing responsibility on officials concerned.
Meanwhile, the state has introduced a revised procedure for transporting scientifically mined coal. Notified on September 14, the procedure includes safeguards aimed at preventing illegally mined coal from being transported as legally mined material.
Compensation Issue Also Raised
The committee also noted that compensation had not been released to the family members of Durba Rai, whose body was recovered earlier this year from an unprotected illegal coal mine pit in East Jaintia Hills.
A police case was registered in connection with the incident.
The 41st interim report forms part of the Katakey committee’s ongoing monitoring of compliance with directions issued by the Meghalaya High Court, Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal concerning illegal and rat-hole coal mining in the state.