Meghalaya coal mining row: DY CM rules out setting up independent probe

Deputy Chief Minister Pretsone Tynsong has said that an independent body of the National Green Tribunal is monitoring the alleged illegal coal mining in the state and, therefore, he does

Deputy Chief Minister Pretsone Tynsong has said that an independent body of the National Green Tribunal is monitoring the alleged illegal coal mining in the state and, therefore, he does not see the need for an independent inquiry by another independent body into the matter.

Reacting to the statement of the United Democratic Party, an ally of the MDA government, that there was nothing wrong with demanding an independent inquiry into the allegations of illegal coal mining and transportation, Tynsong said that the NGT has already constituted a SIT which is monitoring on a regular basis the illegal mining activities.

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On the demand for a CBI inquiry from several quarters into illegal mining, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the NGT is the body that monitors everything and the government will abide by the orders to be given by the green tribunal. He further added that the government is against illegal mining activities in the State.

It may be mentioned that the leader of the opposition, Mukul Sangma, has been demanding an independent probe into the illegal coal trade after conducting a surprise inspection in the Nongalbibra area in the South Garo Hills. Sangma had earlier alleged that rampant illegal mining and transportation of coal is going on in the state. 

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