The 35th interim report by Justice (Retd.) B.P. Katakey has revealed the significant disappearance of 37,449.53 metric tonnes (MT) of coal in Meghalaya, identified through a ground verification process following an aerial survey of coal dumps across four districts. The aerial survey, conducted by Garuda UAV Soft Solutions Pvt. Ltd., estimated a total of 1,92,840.13 MT of coal stored in 1,898 dumps; however, subsequent physical verification by district administrations located only 1,55,390.6 MT in 1,889 dumps, resulting in the substantial discrepancy.
The findings were detailed per district:
- East Jaintia Hills: The aerial survey indicated 1,80,299.48 MT across 1,572 dumps. Officials verified all locations, discovering only 1,43,939 MT, which accounts for a shortfall of 36,360.48 MT.
- West Khasi Hills: From an estimated 11,707.99 MT in 280 dumps, 11,446 MT was found, resulting in a difference of 261.99 MT.
- South West Khasi Hills: The survey recorded 797.65 MT in 37 dumps, but only 5.6 MT was recovered from 28 dumps leading to a shortfall of 792.05 MT. Notably, there was a lack of information regarding the remaining dumps.
- South Garo Hills: Officials reported no coal found from a total of 35.01 MT documented in nine dumps, attributing loss to potential washout from heavy rainfall.
The Commission highlighted that FIRs had been filed concerning the missing coal at the identified coordinates. To mitigate further loss, the Committee recommended that the recovered 1,55,390.6 MT of coal be immediately transported to designated district depots and subsequently auctioned with court approval. Moreover, the report urged that FIRs related to the missing 37,449.53 MT be filed promptly where not already completed, and that investigations should be accelerated to hold accountable those involved in illegal mining operations.