SHILLONG:
Deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong, on January 18, said that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is monitoring illegal coal mining activities in the state and there is no need for any independent inquiry into the matter.
“The NGT has already constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the matter; we have a system in place,” he said.
Tynsong’s comments came in the heels of the leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma’s demand for an independent probe into the illegal coal trade, following a surprise inspection to Nongalbibra in South Garo Hills, on January 17. Post the inspection, Sangma had alleged that the coal dumped in the depots were freshly mined, hinting at rampant illegal mining and transportation of coal in the area.
Reiterating the state government’s stance on the issue, Tynsong maintained that the government is against illegal mining in Meghalaya and has been checking such activities since 2014 post the NGT ban on coal mining.
“Why blame the government for aiding criminal activities when we have clearly instructed all the district administrations and SPs to curb illegal activities in Meghalaya? This is the standing order issued by the highest authority of the state government,” he said.
On reports of United Democratic Party (UDP) admitting to illegal coal mining, Tynsong said that since the party is a part of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), they can very well report the matter to concerned authorities. “Reports in media alone don’t serve any purpose,” he averred.
Tynsong refrained from commenting if these reports are being floated an election ploy by the party. “I am not in a position to comment on this. What I can say is, we are committed to ensure that illegal activities are checked, not only just coal mining, but across sectors and departments.”
Responding to Congress chief Vincent H Pala’s allegation of check gates being turned into “ATMs of ruling ministers and MLAs in their respective constituencies”, he said that he has no idea which check gates the Congress chief is referring to.
“The setting up of a check gate along national and state highways require a proper framework, and we cannot blindly set them anywhere and everywhere. I don’t know what he (Pala) means by his statement,” Tynsong said.