Saleng A Sangma voices concern over illegal sale of transport challans

A Correspondent

Shillong: The chairman of the State Government Programme Implementation and Monitoring Committee, Saleng A Sangma has expressed his grave concerns on the illegal sale of Transport Challans (TCs) for transportation of extracted coal. On Monday, Sangma convened a review Meeting of Mining & Geology Department. Various issues pertaining to the department were discussed in detail and certain recommendations made, to improve the functioning of the department. He directed the officers of Mining & Geology department to furnish the list of miners/mine owners, which is duly approved by the NGT, in the newspapers and on the department’s website.

“This would help the genuine miners/mine owners to see the status of issue of TCs as well as to deter non miners/mine owners to take the advantage of the system & illegally sell the TCs at rates, much higher than the approved rates by the NGT,” the chairman State Government Programme Implementation and Monitoring Committee said.

He also directed the Mining and Geology officials to take stern action against such people who illegally sell the TCs, as per extant provisions of the law.

The Chairman also wanted concrete action plan on usage of District Mineral Fund (DMF) (standing at Rs. 23 crores) for welfare and development activities for people, affected in the mining areas.

“The Mining & Geology Department needs to be strengthened to carry out their enforcement duties effectively, to plug leakages in revenues of the state,” Sangma said.

He also stated that as a policy decision, Directorate of Mineral Resources needs to bring Schedule III under their administrative control, which at present is regulated by Forest Department. It covers royalty on minor minerals like sand, stone, limestone for construction purposes.

Sangma also said that the state Geological Programming Board, looking into several approvals of Mining Plans in different areas of the state, presently headed by Commissioner & Secretary, Mining & Geology Department, needs to be broadly represented with different government departments and headed by Chief Secretary.

The proceedings of the board should be approved by the Chief Minister through Minister-in-charge, Mining & Geology department.

Also Read: A talk with Saleng Sangma