The National Green Tribunal said on Tuesday that it could not accept the committee’s recommendation that the coal owners of Meghalaya, who have yet to be established by drawing lots, should be permitted to transport the coal, stating that they were against the decision of the Supreme Court. The Committee headed by former High Court Judge Gauhati, Justice B D Agarwal, recommended that the Mining and Geology Department allow coal owners to transport their coal in their respective districts within 15 days from the date of issue of the Transit Pass to the coal owners.
A bench headed by NGT President Justice A K Goel claimed that the recommendation of the committee which is contrary to the judgment of the Supreme Court could not be considered. The Green Panel claimed that, in keeping with the judgment of the apex court, it was noted that the coal owners had already been established as per record and that the process of handing over coal was to be undertaken by the State.
“The quantum of coal unscientifically mined was mentioned to be 23,25,663.54 metric tonnes. It was held that the said coal be handed over to Coal India Limited for disposal by the State in the manner laid down by the Committee,” the bench said.
The NGT argued that the State must transport coal and provide locations and exercise for the identification of landowners outside the judgment of the Supreme Court is not permissible.
“As regards restoration plan, the remediation plan may be duly executed which may be supervised by the Committee. The steps suggested by the Committee may be taken,” the bench said.
The Committee can continue its duties, including the supervision of the remediation program, and submit its progress report as of 31 December, said the Bank. In August 2018, the NGT created a committee to oversee and discuss the issue of the environmental restoration plan and other relevant issues in Meghalaya.
Last year, the Supreme Court paved the way for the operationalization of coal mining in Meghalaya under the applicable legislative structure of the Mine and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. GNT prohibited mining in Meghalaya in 2014.The Committee was formed at the hearing of the petition seeking a ban on coal mining in Meghalaya. Several findings from the State Pollution Control Board were also taken into account.
