NGT committee approves transportation of 2 lakh MT of coal:

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Thursday said a committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has approved transportation of two lakh metric tonne of coal in the state on condition that safety and environment norms will be followed.

The NGT committee headed by Justice (Retd) B D Agarwal which met here on Thursday has given the nod for transportation of the two lakh MT of coal on a pilot basis in four districts, the chief minister said.

"I am happy to inform stakeholders of coal in our state that the NGT committee has approved on a pilot basis to auction 2 lakh metric tonne out of 32 lakh metric tonne of coal. In East Jaintia Hill 75,000 MT, in West Khasi Hills 50,000 MT, South West Khasi Hills 25,000 MT and in South Garo Hills 50,000 MT," he told reporters.

Sangma said, "Transparent online auctioning... will be conducted by the government-owned MSTC Limited (Metal Scrap and Trading Corporation). Government of Meghalaya has no role to play in the auctioning process."