A High Court‑appointed committee, led by retired Justice B.P. Katakey, has documented a shortage of 13,02,456.184 metric tonnes of coal in Meghalaya. The committee’s 41st interim report, released by the court, calls for an inquiry to determine who is responsible for the missing material.
The gap arises between the state’s claim that 32,56,715 MT of extracted coal was available and the physical verification by Deputy Commissioners, which found only 19,54,258.816 MT. The committee confirmed the shortage remains undisputed even if the Deputy Commissioners’ figures are accepted, and aerial assessments suggest the quantity is even lower.
The report also highlights 37,449.53 tonnes of illegally mined coal that was found outside Coal India Limited depots and later went missing. While FIRs were initially filed for only 4,141.83 tonnes, the remaining 33,307.7 tonnes had not been pursued legally. The committee noted that police station case numbers and investigation updates were missing, and that abandoned mine openings have not been closed or fenced despite repeated court directions.
Between 2023 and 2026 authorities seized 62 vehicles and 92 pieces of equipment in illegal mining and transport cases, yet confiscation proceedings under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act began in only one case. No compensation has been paid to the family of Durba Rai, whose body was recovered from an unprotected mine pit, and a police case has been registered over his death. Environmental restoration projects for the Kyrhuhkhla and Lunar rivers remain in principle approved but have not been implemented.
The state has introduced a revised procedure for transporting scientifically mined coal, intended to prevent illegally mined coal from being moved as legal material. The committee seeks timelines to establish responsibility for the missing coal, secure abandoned mine openings, complete pending criminal proceedings, and improve reporting systems for illegal mining, noting that key issues such as the unexplained coal shortage, gaps in police investigations and delays in environmental restoration remain unresolved.
