Guwahati, March 7: The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has launched a scathing attack on the Assam government for failing to curb illegal coal mining, despite repeated warnings from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Friday, AJP general secretary Jagadish Bhuyan accused the state government of turning a blind eye to unauthorized rat-hole mining, which he claims is being carried out without environmental clearances, endangering both the environment and public health.
Bhuyan specifically questioned why the government has taken no action against Assam Mining Development Corporation (AMDC) managing director Anand Natarajan, despite the CAG exposing illegal mining activities in two consecutive reports (2022-23 and 2023-24).
“If the government can arrest Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal based on a CAG report, why are officials involved in the Assam coal scam not being booked on the same basis?” Bhuyan questioned.
According to the CAG report, AMDC operated two coal mines—the Garampani Coal Extraction Project (GCEP) and Khota Ardha Coal Extraction Project (KACEP)—as well as five limestone mines in Umrangso. However, despite lacking government-approved mining plans, leases, or environmental clearances, the company continued unauthorized mining activities.
The report states: “Despite being fully aware of these illegal operations, neither the Government of India nor the Government of Assam imposed deterrent penalties or took preventive action. As a result, the mining sites remain at high risk of environmental damage and health hazards for surrounding communities.”
Bhuyan further slammed the Assam government, citing an Assembly admission by an Assam Minister that there are 263 illegal rat-hole mining sites in the state. Yet, no concrete steps have been taken against those operating these illegal mines.
“The main accused, AMDC MD Anand Natarajan, was not punished. Instead, he was sent back to his original department with honour,” Bhuyan said.
He also pointed out that no District Commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), or other responsible officials in Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, and Tinsukia districts have been held accountable.
Bhuyan accused the government of double standards, citing how Kejriwal was arrested over CAG findings on a liquor scam, but no action has been taken against AMDC officials despite documented evidence of illegal mining in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 reports.
Quoting the CAG report, Bhuyan also revealed that AMDC failed to maintain the mandatory Mine Closure Deposit (MCD) of ₹33.78 crore for GCEP and KACEP, as required by the Ministry of Coal guidelines. The company also ignored repeated warnings from the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) regarding its failure to furnish necessary bank guarantees for limestone mines.
Additionally, despite receiving multiple notices from the Directorate of Geology & Mines to halt illegal mining, the company continued operations with no deterrent action from the state or central governments.
Bhuyan concluded that despite decades of well-documented violations, both the Assam and Central governments have failed to penalize those responsible or enforce corrective measures.
“The government’s silence proves that illegal mining is flourishing under political patronage. This is a massive scam, and we demand immediate action,” he asserted.
