Representative image of coal transportation (Photo: Meta)
Shillong, May 3: The 37th interim report of the Justice (retd) Brojendra Prasad (BP) Katakey committee has flagged prima facie violations of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), 2024, governing transportation of coal and other minerals from outside Meghalaya.
In its report submitted to the court on Friday, the panel noted that although some cement companies had applied on April 8 last year, seeking permission to transport coal for the period from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, no approval was granted by the competent authority.
The committee specifically cited M/S Star Cement Meghalaya Limited and Star Cement Limited for transporting 2,93,569.349 metric tonnes of coal through 8,174 truckloads between 2025 and 2026, recommending necessary action in case of SOP violations.
Contradicting an official report, the panel observed discrepancies in compliance claims.
The Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills, had stated that the SOP for transportation of coal and other minerals "is being strictly followed."
However, the committee said this assertion "is not correct", noting that records indicate inadequate compliance and that no approval for such transportation had been granted by the competent authority under the SOP, 2024.
The single-member panel also flagged the absence of crucial documents, such as mineral transport challans, tax invoices, e-way bills, certificates of origin and weighment details, indicating serious procedural lapses in the movement of the consignments.
To tighten monitoring, the committee recommended mandatory use of GPS-enabled vehicles, installation of identifiable colour-coded stickers, and strict routing of coal transport through designated corridors and smart exit check-gates.
The report also stressed administrative accountability, stating that officers tasked with preventing illegal mining should be held personally liable for violations within their jurisdiction.
It further proposed the constitution of a High-Level Monitoring Committee, headed by an officer of the rank of Additional Chief Secretary, to oversee implementation of anti-illegal mining measures and ensure proper utilisation of allocated funds.
In addition, the panel directed that over 1.55 lakh metric tonnes of illegally mined coal identified through aerial surveys be transported to designated depots and auctioned after obtaining necessary court approvals.
It also recommended immediate registration of FIRs in connection with more than 33,000 metric tonnes of missing coal.
The findings come against the backdrop of continued concerns flagged by the BP Katakey committee over illegal coal mining in Meghalaya, particularly in East Jaintia Hills, which it has earlier identified as a major hub of illicit extraction and transportation.
In previous reports, the panel had pointed to large-scale irregularities, including discrepancies between officially recorded coal stocks and ground-level findings, suggesting systemic lapses in monitoring and enforcement.
The committee had also sought detailed police reports into deaths linked to illegal coal mining in the state, highlighting serious safety concerns associated with unregulated mining practices.
With inputs from agencies