Security features for Meghalaya coal challans for validation

The Meghalaya government is mulling introduction of high security barcodes and tamper proof holograms in challans issued for transportation of coal to prevent revenue loss, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed the Assembly today.

Coal mining was banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014, but there is huge quantity of extracted coal lying in different areas of the state and fake challans are being used by a section of traders, Sangma said.

The NGT allowed transportation of coal after payment of royalty and obtaining a special permit - the Mineral Transport Challan (MTC) - as the NGT felt that these extracted stock of coal has the potential to degrade the environment, the chief minister said.

"The government is mulling to introduce enhanced security features such as barcode with hologram, tamper evident hologram" in MTCs for authentication, Sangma said replying to a call attention motion moved by Opposition MLA H M Shangpliang.

A number of counterfeit MTCs have been detected in checkgates in various districts such as North Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi, he said adding that the security features being thought of are difficult to forge.

In one instance, one person was found with 100 fake MTCs at the Divisional Mining Office at Jowai in West Jaintia Hills district.

The chief minister assured the Assembly of taking exemplary action against the use of counterfeit MTCs which results in revenue loss to the state.