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National Green Tribunal extends time for transportation of coal in Meghalaya

The National Green Tribunal has extended the time for transportation of extracted coal in Meghalaya till June 30 while last date for payment of royalty has been fixed as May 31.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar passed the order after the Meghalaya government told the tribunal that since monsoon has arrived, "it may be in the interest of environment that time for payment of royalty and transport of coal are extended to avoid serious pollution due to washing of coal.

"On the submissions made by the counsel appearing for the state and in the interest of environment, we extend the date for payment of royalty by May 31, 2015 and transportation by June 30, 2015," the bench said.

The Meghalaya government also assured the tribunal that there is no illegal and unauthorised mining and transportation of coal being carried on in the state.

It also assured the tribunal that the state will maintain strict vigilance and ensure that the NGT orders are complied with.

The green panel also extended the time for installation of the weigh bridges on 12 approved points in the state till May 31.

It directed all the local commissioners appointed by it to collectively go and make surprise visits to find out whether any illegal/unauthorised mining or illegal transportation was going on in that area.

"We make it clear that commissioners would be provided all help and facilities by the state of Meghalaya. We direct the commissioners to visit the sites in any case by June 15, 2015," the bench said.

Earlier, the tribunal had allowed transportation of extracted coal till May 31 and at the same time, fixed the last date for payment of royalty as April 16.

Slamming the state for not framing the coal mining plan for safety of workers, it had directed the state government to submit the guidelines within six weeks.

Passing a slew of directions, the green bench had allowed transportation of coal strictly in accordance with the guidelines prepared by the committee under Additional Chief Secretary K S Kropha and orders of the tribunal.

The green panel had last year ordered coal miners and transporters of Meghalaya to pay about Rs 400 crore royalty to the state government as per Mines Development and Regulation Act, 1957, before transporting the 6.3 million tonnes of extracted coal lying in depots across the state.

The tribunal also ordered the state government to collect 10 per cent of the said market value of the coal per metric tonne from each person in addition to the royalty payable to it.

The green bench has prohibited mining in the entire state of Meghalaya but allowed transportation of extracted coal kept in the open with due "checks and balances"

source: http://zeenews.india.com