TMC intensifies attack on Meghalaya government on illegal coal trade

After former Chief Minister Mukul M Sangma, who joined TMC along with 11 other Congress MLAs in November 2021, TMC MLA Marthan Sangma said that the government was misusing various departments to make money and deprive the state of revenue.

“Illegally extracted coal from Meghalaya is being passed on as coal from Assam and exported to Bangladesh. While Assam is getting the revenue, in Meghalaya the nexus of officials and businessmen is making money,” the MLA, who represents Mendipathar assembly constituency, told reporters on January 18.

He said officials in two districts – North Garo Hills and South Garo Hills – were facilitating the illegal coal trade, and it “cannot happen without protection” from the government. The MLA said that he called on the hoax of coal extractors. The state belongs to another state because the routes taken for trafficking are through its constituency. “I can confirm that not a kilo of coal comes from Assam for export to Bangladesh,” he said.

He also said that departments like the Directorate of Mining Resources and Transport should be abolished if they are no longer useful to Meghalaya.

Earlier, Shri Mukul Sangma had demanded a court-monitored inquiry into the illegal coal trade in the state.

Responding to the allegations, the state’s deputy chief minister, Preston Tynsong, said the government should not be blamed for any instance of illegal coal mining and transportation. “There are laws in place and the National Green Tribunal [NGT] monitoring the activities,” he said.

The NGT had in April 2014 banned dangerous rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya and allowed transportation of only extracted coal till that period. State activists said mining continued illegally and coal transported to other parts of India and exported to Bangladesh was “far in excess of what was already extracted”.

“The government cannot indulge in criminal activities. We are ensuring that the NGT order is being followed,” said Mr. Tynsong.