When nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of coal go missing from two government-monitored depots in Meghalaya, the question isn’t just how—but who enabled such a colossal breach of oversight? Was it administrative apathy, political complicity, or systemic failure? And can the public trust the system meant to safeguard state resources?
The startling revelation surfaced through the 31st interim report of the Justice B.P. Katakey (Retd) Committee, recently submitted to the court. Appointed years ago to recommend measures on coal-related issues, the committee’s latest findings have reignited concerns about the accountability of the state machinery.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma acknowledged the gravity of the issue and stated, “We are inquiring into this, we have asked the different Department officials and Deputy Commissioners to enquire into this aspect. So we’ll get report and once the report comes in, then we’ll be able to reply back to details. It will be done as soon as possible.”
While emphasizing that the government has cracked down on numerous cases of illegal mining and transportation of coal, Sangma strongly defended his administration’s track record. “Wherever we have found that any illegalities are happening, or any kind of mining is taking place or anybody’s transporting anything that is without proper documentation, hundreds of such cases have come up and we have taken normal action in that,” he said.
Taking a sharp dig at the Congress regime, Sangma said, “The kind of situation that was created during the Congress time and the previous Chief Minister’s time where the coal was banned and no step was taken to give any relief to the miners and the people—it is our government that took up this huge task and ensured that we are able to streamline the process.”
He went on to add, “Today, we have the scientific process of coal mining that has been initiated. So we will see the entire sector transform… this entire situation that we faced in the last many years—mostly the last 11 years—it’s because of the inaction taken by the previous government to challenge the coal ban that was there. Because of that, all these complications came up.”
Highlighting recent progress, Sangma noted that his government had worked closely with the Government of India, Coal India, and other agencies to introduce protocols and standard operating procedures. “Even recently, officials from the Coal Ministry came and expressed their satisfaction… the process of exporting and sending the coal outside into other parts of the country has started. On a pilot basis, about eight to ten trucks have been initiated.”
He concluded with optimism: “I’m sure that in the next few months’ time, this entire process will be thoroughly streamlined. And we will see that this entire situation that is created by the previous government will now be behind us. A new era for scientific coal mining and proper mining procedure is right in front of us.”
As the probe unfolds, all eyes are on the state government—not just for answers, but for accountability and action.
