Now Reading: Meghalaya HC panel seeks urgent plan to end illegal coal mining
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Meghalaya HC panel seeks urgent plan to end illegal coal mining
The Story in Brief
The Story in Brief
The Meghalaya high court-appointed Justice B.P. Katakey committee has asked the state government to urgently notify a comprehensive action plan to stop illegal coal mining and transportation. In its 39th interim report filed on Thursday, the panel expressed concern that its earlier recommendations had not been implemented, and it called for immediate steps to prevent illegal mining and secure thousands of abandoned rat-hole mine pits.
The committee also raised alarm over unsecured mine openings endangering human life and livestock. Restoration plans for two pilot sites, Sutnga and Arenggtim, are pending clearance from the National Green Tribunal's oversight committee. Justice Katakey said the state cannot wait for restoration projects to begin and demanded an immediate policy to fence and close hazardous pits, especially near villages. The matter will return to the Meghalaya High Court for further hearing.
The Indian Opinion
The Katakey committee's exasperation is a mirror to the public mood. Endless policy drafts and pending approvals sound sincere, but for every abandoned pit left unfenced, Meghalaya risks another tragedy. The state's own officials promised an action plan in two weeks this June. The real test is not the report but the next monsoon, will the dangerous mines still be open?
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Ashin Xavier: interesting
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