📌 Why in News?
Syllabus: GS2/Governance, GS3/Environment A committee constituted under Justice (retired) B. Katakey has criticised the Meghalaya government for delays in implementing a comprehensive mine closure policy and in addressing illegal rat-hole coal mining in the state.
Syllabus & Relevance
Prelims: Polity & Governance — institutions, terminology and factual features connected with the development.
Mains: GS-2 — contemporary application of the relevant syllabus theme.
Current–static link: Revise the underlying institution, policy or concept together with this development.
Why it matters for India
The Government of India has launched one mobile app namely “Khanan Prahari” and one web app, Coal Mine Surveillance and Management System (CMSMS) for reporting unauthorized coal mining activities so that monitoring and taking suitable action on it can be done by concerned Law & Order enforcing authority.
A committee/task force has been constituted at different levels (block level, sub-divisional level, district level, and state level) in some subsidiaries of Coal India Limited to monitor different aspects of illegal mining.
India’s Campaign For a UN Security Council (UNSC) Seat in 2028-29
Static Foundation
Katakey has criticised the Meghalaya government for delays in implementing a comprehensive mine closure policy and in addressing illegal rat-hole coal mining in the state.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the practice of rat-hole coal mining in 2014, as it causes environmental degradation and is a threat to the lives of miners.
The Meghalaya High Court appointed a single-member committee under Justice Brojendra Prasad Katakey in 2022 to recommend measures to the state government in compliance with the directions issued by NGT.
Key Issues Highlighted by the Committee
Delay in mine closure policy: Meghalaya has yet to adopt a comprehensive policy for closing and restoring abandoned and illegally operated coal mines.
Many open mine shafts remain unfenced and uncovered, posing risks to humans and livestock.
Large number of abandoned mines: According to the Jaintia Coal Mines Owners and Dealers’ Association, there are about 60,000 mines spread across 360 villages in the East Jaintia Hills district alone.
Data, Reports, Cases & Examples
Syllabus: GS2/Governance, GS3/Environment
A committee constituted under Justice (retired) B.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the practice of rat-hole coal mining in 2014, as it causes environmental degradation and is a threat to the lives of miners.
The Meghalaya High Court appointed a single-member committee under Justice Brojendra Prasad Katakey in 2022 to recommend measures to the state government in compliance with the directions issued by NGT.
Key Issues Highlighted by the Committee
Large number of abandoned mines: According to the Jaintia Coal Mines Owners and Dealers’ Association, there are about 60,000 mines spread across 360 villages in the East Jaintia Hills district alone.
Prelims Quick Facts
Syllabus: GS2/Governance, GS3/Environment
A committee constituted under Justice (retired) B.
Katakey has criticised the Meghalaya government for delays in implementing a comprehensive mine closure policy and in addressing illegal rat-hole coal mining in the state.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the practice of rat-hole coal mining in 2014, as it causes environmental degradation and is a threat to the lives of miners.
The Meghalaya High Court appointed a single-member committee under Justice Brojendra Prasad Katakey in 2022 to recommend measures to the state government in compliance with the directions issued by NGT.
Key Issues Highlighted by the Committee
Delay in mine closure policy: Meghalaya has yet to adopt a comprehensive policy for closing and restoring abandoned and illegally operated coal mines.
Many open mine shafts remain unfenced and uncovered, posing risks to humans and livestock.
Mains-only layer✍️ Open Mains Perspective & Answer FrameworkClick to expand ↓
Mains Perspective
Background and key dimensions
- The Meghalaya High Court appointed a single-member committee under Justice Brojendra Prasad Katakey in 2022 to recommend measures to the state government in compliance with the directions issued by NGT.
- Key Issues Highlighted by the Committee
- Delay in mine closure policy: Meghalaya has yet to adopt a comprehensive policy for closing and restoring abandoned and illegally operated coal mines.
- Many open mine shafts remain unfenced and uncovered, posing risks to humans and livestock.
- Large number of abandoned mines: According to the Jaintia Coal Mines Owners and Dealers’ Association, there are about 60,000 mines spread across 360 villages in the East Jaintia Hills district alone.
- Most of these are abandoned but left uncovered.
- Inadequate restoration planning: The Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited prepared detailed project reports (DPRs) for two pilot restoration projects
- One at Sutnga in East Jaintia Hills (₹63 lakh) and the other at Arenggtim in the South Garo Hills district (₹92.78 lakh).
- However, the proposals remain pending before the **NGT-**constituted Oversight Committee.
- Weak regulation of coal-based industries: The panel identified gaps in scrutiny of coke oven plants, which depend heavily on coal.
- The term “rat hole” refers to the narrow pits (3-4 feet high) dug into the ground, typically just large enough for one person to descend and extract coal.
- Once the pits are dug, miners descend using ropes or bamboo ladders to reach the coal seams.
- The coal is then manually extracted using primitive tools such as pickaxes, shovels, and baskets.
Analytical use
- Connect the development with its institutional, policy, economic, social, environmental or security implications only where supported above.
- In a Mains answer, separate the verified development from broader evaluation and use the named evidence precisely.
Way forward
- Base recommendations on the gaps and institutional responsibilities identified in the source-grounded points.
Answer Framework
Introduction
Begin with the immediate development and identify the central institution or policy issue.
Body
- Explain the relevant static concept.
- Present the principal source-backed facts.
- Analyse significance for India and the syllabus theme.
- Discuss supported challenges or implementation gaps.
- Use one named law, report, institution, date or example from the evidence box.
Conclusion
End with a balanced, institutionally feasible way forward without making claims beyond the available evidence.
Possible Mains Question
Examine the significance of “Meghalaya’s Delay in Implementing Mine Closure Policy”. Discuss its key implications and the way forward.