Meghalaya | ‘Illegal’ transportation of coal: CM in denial mode, says Mukul
Shillong, Jan 18:
The Opposition Congress today said that the CBI probe ordered by the Meghalaya Lokayukta on the alleged illegal transportation of coal will bring out the real picture of what the 'NPP led MDA Government was trying to hide'.
"We had cautioned about the illegal transportation of coal on many occasions earlier. The State Government continues to deny about the alleged illegal transportation of coal without verifying the facts. Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma himself is in denial mode even though the issue of illegal transportation has surfaced time and again," Opposition Leader and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, Dr Mukul Sangma told reporters.
Dr Mukul, however, observed that the CBI probe will bring out the true picture about the illegal transportation of coal. "The people will no longer take things for granted and now they have started to question the corrupt intent and practice of the present Government," the former Chief Minister of the State said.
He also pointed out that there is no visible action on the part of the Government to deal with this alleged rampant illegal transportation of coal.
Even in the past, there were several reports about the illegal transportation of coal along the national highways.
Earlier, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had stated said that the State Government welcomes the CBI probe into the alleged rampant illegal transportation of coal, boulders and beetle nuts.
"We are happy with the CBI inquiry instituted by the Meghalaya Lokayukta to probe into the alleged illegal transportation of coal. The media, time and again, has been reporting about this issue. The CBI probe will clear the doubts if illegal transportation of coal is really taking place. It is good that people will not know the truth," Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister had stated.
It may be mentioned that in view of the petition by a border resident Abhijeet Basumatary, the Lokayukta has demanded action against the Special Assistant to Home Minister, James Sangma, Secretary mining and geology department, SP and DC of East Jaintia Hills beside few others. The Meghalaya Lokayukta had directed the CBI to probe the illegal coal racket within 15 days for a preliminary report.
