Meghalaya’s Revenue and Disaster Management Department is under examination following an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which revealed that Rs 1.07 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) was misallocated to provide compensation to victims of illegal coal mining, violating established guidelines. This issue was highlighted in the 2023 audit report submitted to the Assembly on February 27. It details the allocation of funds made in July 2019, comprising Rs 16.50 lakh distributed to 14 deceased individuals and five injured victims from Mengkulgittim in Rongsa Awe village in South Garo Hills. Additionally, Rs 90 lakh was paid to families of 18 individuals who lost their lives in the Ksan coal mines in East Jaintia Hills, with each receiving Rs 5 lakh.
The CAG pointed out that compensating individuals engaged in illegal activities contradicts SDRF guidelines, emphasizing that relief should exclude illegal operations. Since the National Green Tribunal imposed a coal mining ban in Meghalaya on April 17, 2014, the department has defended its expenditures by citing excessive rainfall and flooding, pledging to obtain approval from the State Executive Committee (SEC). However, the CAG dismissed this justification, clarifying that the SEC lacks the authority to authorize expenditures linked to activities deemed illegal by the NGT. Furthermore, the report signals an impending probe into similar compensations promised to families affected by illegal mining incidents at Mynsngat-Thangsko, which occurred on February 5 of this year.
Additionally, the audit highlights broader discrepancies, including Rs 8.10 crore spent from the SDRF on events that have not been officially notified, such as heavy rain, strong winds, thunder squalls, and hailstorms. SDRF guidelines are meant to cover specific natural disasters like cyclones, floods, earthquakes, and landslides. It has been noted that the release of compensation payments often experiences delays ranging from 9 to 12 months, and there were 15 instances where sanction classifications were incorrectly matched. In response, the department plans to align nomenclature with deputy commissioners; however, the CAG has criticized the department’s lack of thorough diligence in evaluating the eligibility of relief requests in accordance with SDRF regulations prior to sanctioning funds. This detailed scrutiny calls into question the accountability and operational integrity of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department in Meghalaya.