A High Court-appointed committee has exposed serious lapses in Meghalaya’s handling of illegal coal mining, revealing that 13,02,456.184 metric tonnes of inventoried coal remain unaccounted for while not a single abandoned rat-hole mine has been closed or fenced despite repeated court directives.
The findings were highlighted in the 41st interim report submitted by the single-member committee headed by retired Justice B.P. Katakey, which was constituted by the Meghalaya High Court in April 2022 to monitor compliance with Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal directions on illegal and unscientific rat-hole coal mining.
According to the report, the Meghalaya government had informed the Supreme Court that 32,56,715 metric tonnes of already-mined coal were available in the state. However, subsequent physical verification by district authorities found only 19,54,258.816 metric tonnes, resulting in an undisputed shortfall of 13,02,456.184 metric tonnes. The committee has called for a detailed investigation to determine accountability, noting that the Supreme Court had designated the state government as the custodian of the coal.
The panel also recorded that 37,449.53 metric tonnes of illegally mined coal identified outside designated Coal India Limited depots had gone missing. Although the government later stated that FIRs had been lodged covering the entire quantity, details of the cases and investigation status have still not been submitted to the committee.
Raising concerns over public safety, the report noted that no abandoned rat-hole mine openings have been closed or fenced so far. While several district administrations have submitted proposals and project reports for closure and fencing, final decisions are yet to be taken. The committee stressed the need for a time-bound policy and immediate interim measures to prevent further accidents.
The report further highlighted a fresh case of alleged illegal mining in East Jaintia Hills’ Sakhain village, where a newly dug mine pit was discovered. Although an FIR was registered, photographs reportedly showed mining equipment at the site, but no seizure of the machinery was recorded in the police report.
The committee pointed to major enforcement gaps, stating that out of 62 vehicles and 92 pieces of equipment seized between 2023 and 2026 in illegal mining and transportation cases, confiscation proceedings were initiated in only one case. Action against landowners and mine owners has also remained limited.
Environmental restoration efforts have similarly been slow, with key river rejuvenation projects yet to take off despite approvals. The committee observed that significant funds earmarked for restoration remain unutilised due to delays in submitting project proposals.
While noting the Meghalaya government’s notification of a revised coal transportation procedure on September 14, 2026, aimed at preventing illegally mined coal from being passed off as legally mined coal, the committee maintained that fundamental issues including missing coal stocks, unsecured mine pits, incomplete investigations and delayed environmental rehabilitation continue to persist.
