Panel flags Meghalaya’s sloth on mine closure policy
A High Court-appointed committee in Meghalaya has criticized the state government for its failure to implement a policy for closing dangerous, abandoned rat-hole coal mines. The report highlights the ongoing risk to human and animal life and the lack of progress on restoration projects.
Why it matters
The report underscores a significant environmental and human rights failure regarding illegal mining practices and government accountability.
A panel constituted by the High Court of Meghalaya has flagged the State’s lethargy in adopting a policy to close all rat-hole mine openings and fence those that pose danger to humans and livestock.
In its 39th Interim Report submitted to the court last week, the one-man Justice (retired) B.P. Katakey Committee underlined the absence of a comprehensive action plan, the non-adoption of a mine closure policy, and serious gaps in the scrutiny of coal-based industries, specifically coke oven plants that thrive on coal.
The panel noted that the Meghalaya government heeded some of its recommendations, but has largely ignored the mine closure policy. The State had been advised years ago to seal abandoned and active but illegally operated mines that have been death traps for humans, specifically children, and livestock.
There are also instances of murderers using these pits to dump the bodies of their victims.
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