Meghalaya | Ministers, MDCs & police get share from illegal transport of coal: Pala

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SHILLONG | May 27, 2019:

Shillong Congress MP, Vincent H Pala has alleged some ministers, MDCs and police officials of being involved in the illegal transportation of coal in the state.

Pala, who has been re-elected for the third consecutive time as an MP, said that one of the reasons behind the unresolved coal mining ban in the state is due to the lack of willingness on the part of some to act promptly since "they are getting a share from this illegal transport of coal."

"Ministers, MDCs and the police are getting a share from this illegal transport of coal," said the Shillong MP while adding "I strongly suspect that these people do not want the court to resolve the issue since they are benefiting from it. The court judgment in July on this issue is very important."

Furthermore, he stated that the State exchequer is losing huge revenue in view of the illegal mining and transportation of coal. He also alleged that the coal exporters are forced to pay Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 to be able to export coal beyond the permissible limit.

Meanwhile, Pala has mooted the idea that the State Government should adopt a resolution in the State Assembly on the need to allow mining of coal in the State.

"We need to plead before the Centre by way of resolution on the need to allow mining of coal since the NGT and the Supreme Court is taking time to give its decision on the matter," Pala said.

He said that he had strong doubts that the Supreme Court would lift the ban on coal mining since he was not satisfied over the way the State Government had presented its case before the apex court on this issue. The Shillong Congress MP, however, said that the mining of coal should be strictly followed as per the various provisions of law. Pala said that the delay in resolving this matter would further encourage illegal mining.