Retired HC judge to head judicial probe into blast at Meghalaya's illegal coal mine
Shillong (PTI): Retired high court judge, Justice RS Chauhan, was appointed the head of the three-member judicial panel that will probe the February 5 blast at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, in which 31 people were killed, according to a notification.
The panel has been tasked with fixing accountability and examining possible constitutional exemptions to central mining laws, said the notification dated February 14.
Retired IPS officer H Nongpluh and former IAS officer PS Dkhar are the other members of the panel, set up under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1952, it said.
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Justice Chauhan was the chief justice of the Uttarakhand High Court and the Telangana High Court.
The commission will conduct a comprehensive fact-finding exercise into the explosion at the illegal mine in the remote Thangsku area of Mynsngat village, according to the notification.
"The Commission may submit its report embodying the findings and its recommendations thereon to the State Government within a period of 6 (six) months from the date of the notification," it said.
The commission has been mandated to identify acts or omissions by authorities and examine whether lapses contributed to the disaster.
Beyond fixing responsibility, the panel will examine the root causes of illegal coal mining in Meghalaya and review the working conditions of labourers dependent on the industry, the notification said.
It will also recommend remedial measures, administrative reforms and financial rehabilitation schemes for those affected by the National Green Tribunal's 2014 ban on coal mining.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had on February 9 announced the judicial inquiry into the blast.
Meanwhile, the government transferred East Jaintia Hills SP Vikash Kumar and posted him as the head of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, according to another notification.
ANTF chief PK Rasgania will be the new SP of East Jaintia Hills.
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PM Modi pays tributes to Sant Sewalal Maharaj on his birth anniversary
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to social reformer Sant Sewalal Maharaj on his birth anniversary and said his inspiring life will always guide the people of the country.
"Hundreds of salutations to the great social reformer Shri Sant Sewalal Maharaj on his birth anniversary. By spreading the message of truth, non-violence, and high moral values, he instilled new consciousness in society," Modi said in a post in Hindi on X.
"His inspiring life will always guide the people of our country. Jai Sewalal!" the prime minister added.
Sant Sevalal Maharaj was born on February 15, 1739 at Surgondankoppa in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. He is considered a social reformer and spiritual teacher of the Banjara community.
