From Bhupen Goswami
GUWAHATI: The illegal trade of coal mafia in several states of India, including the Northeast, has taken the form of an organised gang. A senior coal India Limited (CIL) North East official said today that senior CBI officials from Kolkata reached Guwahati today to probe the alleged coal mafia, illegal coal mines and coal smuggling cases going on in Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam and the North East. On the directions of the government, the CBI has started investigations in all these states. The coal mafia is easily diverting the route and doing illegal business of coal and despite knowing everything, the police-administration has remained silent. As a result, thousands of crores of rupees of the Government are being lost every month.Due to this, the illegal trade of coal has been handed over to the CBI for investigation.
The official said that a CBI probe has been conducted that illegal coal trade in Kolkata-West Bengal and Dhanbad districts is rampant. In Nirsa-Chirkunda area, the illegal businessmen are accompanied by leaders and people’s representatives. Coal is illegally mined and sent to Jharkhand, Bihar and Upazila. About 1710 tonnes of illegal trade is taking place every day, that is, about 70 trucks are being sent to coal. Earlier in Assam and the North East, coal used to go to other states via Guwahati, but now due to the high search on this national highway, the coal mafia is changing the route and sending it to other states via Tezpur-Mangaldai, but even after repeated complaints with the Assam-Meghalaya police administration, the administration continued to deny this, but the truth is never hidden.
It may be mentioned that last Friday, coal baron Balwant Soni alias Bhama was arrested along with four others in connection with a tax evasion case from Vashishtha area of Guwahati.The arrests were made on the basis of an FIR lodged by the Assam tax department regarding theft of Rs 40 crore. It is reported that in the last month, Bhama bought a jeep, a Fortuner and some heavy machines (excavators) with most of the money he was illegally extracting through the use of his E bill from coal traders in Gasuapara in South Garo Hills. The Assam Police, on the directions of the Intelligence Bureau, explained the allegations but did not give an estimate of the amount of tax evasion, saying the matter would be clear in a few days. Police sources said, more arrests are likely to be made in the case in the coming days.
Bhama’s arrest may have embarrassed the Meghalaya government as the entire operation from mining to transport to exports was being carried out within the state itself, while e-bills were made from Assam in the name of Bhama’s firm. Earlier, raising the issue of illegal coal mining, All India Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Sangma had promised to take it up with Chief Secretary RV Suchiang for an inquiry. However, for unknown reasons, no complaint was lodged with him. After this, the party also decided to remain silent. Only Bhama’s firm was allowed to operate by the state government. Its e-way bill can be used to export coal to Bangladesh through Gasuapara. According to reports, thousands of trucks loaded with coal have been sent to Bangladesh through the Gasupara Land Custom Station. Since no challan was issued, it caused huge revenue loss to the state, estimated to be worth crores of rupees. Now, the GOVERNMENT of India, a CBI officer has been directed to conduct an inquiry. Wherever illegal coal trade is found, strict action will be taken. The police are taking continuous action on the information of coal theft on the directions of the Intelligence Bureau. On Sunday also, special teams were formed and raids were now conducted at eight places in different areas, including the state. Wherever illegal coal trade is being reported, raids are being conducted.
