Meghalaya: NGT Approves Auction of 2 Lakh Metric Tons of Coal

Shillong, March 12, 2020: 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) committee has approved a pilot-basis auction of two lakh metric tons of coal out of the 32 lakh metric tons, informed Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.

The break-up of the auction, which will be as per the the rate of Coal India Limited, from different districts of the State are - East Jaintia Hills - 75,000 MT, West Khasi Hills - 50,000 MT, South West Khasi Hills - 25,000 MT and South Garo Hills - 50,000 MT.

He informed that a temporary deposit facility will be set up for the purpose of transportation of the auctioned coal. Strict environmental norms will also be followed in every depot during auctions and transportation, he added.

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He said, “Several checks and balances like the presence of CIL officials and full proof security measures like the QR code will be introduced, hologram, fugitive ink and four copies of challan.”

The Chief Minister further stated that measures have been put in place to ensure transparent mechanism in place, including online auctioning at an all India level by the MSTC limited platform.

“We hope that through these process of auctioning we will be able to obtain the highest price for our coal,” the Chief Minister said, while adding that through the same process 32 lakh MT of coal will be auctioned at a latter stage, which will enable revenue earning of about 500 cr.

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The Chief Minister also informed that Government will soon ensure that environmental friendly and scientific mining is initiated in the State.

He thanked the NGT committee, officials of Coal India Ltd, Metal Scrap and Trading Corporation and officials of the Mining and Geology Department for having worked tirelessly for the last seven months, discussing and negotiating different terms and conditions.

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