The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today 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.
While delivering the order, Justice Swantanter Kumar said they should be permitted to pay the royalty in installments.
As the expert committee has assessed that the 6.3 million tonnes of extracted coal was worth Rs 3,078 crore, the royalty payable to the state is about Rs 400 crore.
The NGT, however, extended the 14-day period it had granted for paying the royalty in its September 1 order to 45 days.
It has also upheld its April 17 interim order banning coal mining in the state observing that clean environment and human lives are of utmost importance.
The NGT also directed the expert committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary K S Kropha to submit a comprehensive report and methodology for carrying out scientific, regulated and permissible mining in the state.
The committee can engage a specialised agency to carry out studies on the impact of the pollution on the environment in the state, he said.
There should be pollution-free mining to protect human beings and the environment, to keep flora and fauna intact and there should be no further deterioration of water bodies, the judge said.
He directed the state DGP to ensure that there are no illegal or unauthorised check gates impeding transportation of extracted coal.
Meanwhile, the NGT has also issued notices to Meghalaya government, the state pollution control board and the city municipal board seeking a report on the pollution of Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers passing through the city after admitting a petition filed by a city based NGO.
The NGT has granted them three weeks time to respond to the matter which was also listed in the next date of hearing on December 8 and 9.
