The Meghalaya high court-appointed justice BP Katakey committee has urged the state government to urgently notify a comprehensive action plan to curb illegal coal mining and transportation and formulate a policy for the closure and fencing of thousands of abandoned rat-hole mine pits.
However, the committee pointed out that the proposals did not include interim safety arrangements pending implementation.
The panel said immediate notification of the plan was essential to strengthen prevention, detection and enforcement against illegal mining. “The aforesaid two project proposals… do not have any proposal for taking of adequate measures, including fencing of the mine openings, to prevent danger to human life and livestock till implementation,” the report said.
He called for an immediate state policy for closure and fencing of hazardous pits, with priority given to abandoned mines located close to villages and other habitations. The panel also recommended that the government frame an ex gratia policy under Article 162 for families of persons killed or injured in illegal mining accidents.
Katakey said Meghalaya could not afford to wait for restoration projects to be implemented before securing dangerous mine openings. The policy, it said, should clearly prescribe eligibility, compensation amounts, verification procedures and payment timelines, while allowing the government to recover the compensation from mine owners, landowners and operators. “A provision for appeal by the aggrieved person to the higher authority may also be made,” the report said.
