Meghalaya: Katakey Panel suggests FIRs against 21 fake coal claimants

Shillong: In the 33rd interim report tabled before the Meghalaya High Court, the Justice (Retd) BP Katakey committee has called for immediate FIRs against 21 of 22 applicants who falsely claimed to have mined coal, with on-site verification revealing zero extraction despite their May 28, 2024, filing.

The panel urged punitive measures under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, for 5,946 MT of coal linked to applicant C Dkhar and the group.

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It also insisted on prompt auctions of re-verified inventoried coal stockpiled at Coal India Limited (CIL) depots, adhering to the 2022 Revised Comprehensive Plan as amended by the Oversight Committee on July 9, 2025, and strictly following clauses 8(j) and 10(p). Of 2,13,567.99 MT offered for sale, a staggering 2,10,004.99 MT remains unsold.

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To choke illegal mining and transport, the committee ordered the demolition within one week of 33 non-compliant coke oven plants—16 in East Jaintia Hills and 17 in West Khasi Hills—that defied the Supreme Court's November 25, 2024 directive.

It further mandated the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board to inspect sites every three months to prevent new illicit setups.