KHADC to file appeal in SC against NGT order

The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council(KHADC), Saturday said it will file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order banning mining and transportation of coal in Meghalaya.

The NGT while disposing off the case against coal mining in the state on August 31 last, said the ban on coal mining and transportation will continue in Meghalaya subject to further orders of the Supreme Court.

The NGT had also constituted a committee, to be headed by a retired judge, to supervise and look into the issue of environmental restoration plan and other connected matters in the state.

"The KHADC will challenge the order of the NGT by next week to restore the right of our people (to mine coal)," Council Executive Member in charge of Trade, Latiplang Kharkongor, said in a statement here.

He also said that a separate special leave petition will be filed challenging the judgement and order passed by the NGT.

"In the application, the part of the order which declared the state to be the custodian with right over the already extracted coal will also be challenged," he said.