Meghalaya: Retired Justice Katakey Demands Revised Report on 48 Illegal Coal Mining Issues
Retired Justice BP Katakey has directed the Meghalaya government to revise its status report on 48 issues related to illegal coal mining and submit a fresh account clearly identifying which of his committee’s recommendations have been implemented, partly implemented, or remain unaddressed.
Katakey said he was dissatisfied with the report the government submitted after he had sought an update two to three weeks ago. He has now asked the state to make the necessary corrections and resubmit the revised document within the next two to three weeks.
“Maybe four, five, six have been fully implemented out of 48. Most of them are partly implemented, not fully,” Katakey said, adding that the revised report must indicate the progress made on each individual issue.
The former judge also sought a detailed report on the recent overturning of a coal-laden truck that disrupted traffic for three to four hours. The report, which he expected to receive by the evening, is intended to establish whether the coal was illegally mined or whether its transportation violated the prescribed procedures.
“Even if it is legally sourced coal, then whether the transportation was illegal, meaning whether the SOP was followed or not while transporting it,” he said.
Katakey, however, maintained that illegal coal mining and transportation continued in the state to some extent, an issue he said he had flagged in several of his earlier reports.
The latest developments come amid sustained scrutiny of the Meghalaya government’s efforts to curb illegal coal mining and regulate the movement of coal across the state. The committee headed by Katakey, appointed by the High Court, has repeatedly pointed to gaps in enforcement, investigations and compliance with transportation rules.
In its 41st interim report, submitted in September, the committee expressed concern over the implementation of its earlier recommendations. The Meghalaya High Court, on October 5, described the report as “revealing and exhaustive” and permitted the state government to obtain a copy and file its response. The matter is scheduled for further consideration on November 2.
The committee’s mandate stems from proceedings initiated by the Meghalaya High Court in 2022 to monitor compliance with directions aimed at curbing illegal coal mining and addressing related issues, including coal disposal, transportation, enforcement and environmental restoration.
Meanwhile, the state government has issued revised procedures for the transportation of scientifically mined coal in September 2026, underscoring the continuing regulatory focus on how coal moves through the state.
Original Source: https://eastmojo.com/meghalaya/2026/10/29/meghalaya-retired-justice-katakey-seeks-revised-report-on-48-illegal-coal-mining-issues/
Category: Free Digest,Meghalaya,News,Northeast News
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-10-29 20:21:00
