Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund
MEPRF
Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund
The Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund (MEPRF) was created on the direction of the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal, by its order dated 25th March 2015 in Original Application No. 73 of 2014. The State collects 10% of the market value of coal per metric tonne, in addition to the royalty, and deposits it in the MEPRF account, maintained by the State under the direct control of the Chief Secretary.
The Fund is used exclusively for the restoration of the environment in areas affected by coal mining, for the necessary remedial and preventive measures, and for the rehabilitation of persons affected by coal mining. It is operated under the Revised Guidelines of 20th August 2020, issued by the Mining and Geology Department with the approval of the NGT Committee, Meghalaya.
The Fund at a Glance
Key Milestones
- 2015
The NGT directs the creation of the Fund
Order of 25th March 2015 (O.A. No. 73 of 2014): 10% of the market value of coal per metric tonne to be collected in addition to royalty and deposited in the MEPRF.
- 2018
NGT Committee, Meghalaya constituted
Order of 31st August 2018 (O.A. No. 110(THC)/2012): a Committee headed by a former Judge of the Gauhati High Court, with representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board and the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, to prepare a time-bound action plan for restoration of the environment and rehabilitation of the victims from the Fund.
- 2019
Guidelines for operation issued
The State Government issues the first Guidelines for the operation of the MEPRF on 17th December 2019.
- 2020
Revised Guidelines notified
Approved with amendments by the NGT Committee, Meghalaya on 19th June 2020 and issued on 20th August 2020 (OM No. MG.61/2018/149), setting up the institutional mechanism to use the Fund in an efficient, effective and transparent manner.
Institutional Mechanism
Four committees see that the Fund is used in an efficient, effective and transparent manner. Non-official members are selected with the approval of the NGT Committee, Meghalaya.
Oversight Committee
- Chairperson: Add. Secretary MOEF&CC
- Member Secretary: Regional officer MOEF&CC, Shillong
- Members: Chairman of EAC, MOEF&CC; Chairman CPCB; Chairman SPCB; ACS to Govt. of Meghalaya dealing with Mining & Geology; Chairman Coal India; Joint Secretary to Govt. of India Ministry of Mining; Director General of Mine Safety; Senior Scientist, ISM/IIT, Dhanbad; PCCF & HoFF, Meghalaya; ADGP, Meghalaya.
State Level Steering Committee for MEPRF was replaced/ modified through constitution of Oversight Committee as per NGT order dated: 15-03-2021 in O.A No.: 110(THC)/2012
Steering Committee (State Level)
- Chairperson: Chief Secretary
- Member Secretary: Director of Mineral Resources
- Members: PCCF & HoFF; Additional Chief Secretary / Principal Secretary / Commissioner & Secretary of Mining & Geology, Forests & Environment, Finance Dept., Planning Dept., PHE Dept., Revenue & Disaster Management Dept., Labour Dept., Social Welfare and Education Departments; the Commissioners of Divisions of Khasi - Jaintia - Garo Hills; the ADG of Forests (C) MoEF&CC Regional Office North eastern zone, Shillong; the Chairman of SEIAA and the State Pollution Control Board; the Regional Director, CPCB; the Secretary to the Chief Executive Member, Autonomous District Councils; and
- Non-Official member: 2 non-official expert members / NGO having expertise in the field of Environment & Mining.
Technical Committee
- Chairperson: PCCF & HoFF
- Member Secretary: Chief Conservator of Forests (SF & E)
- Members: Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (CC, R&T), Director of Mineral Resources, Chairman, State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), Member Secretary, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Additional Director, Central Pollution Control Board, Shillong, Scientist 'E'/Scientist 'D', MOEF & CC Regional Office North Eastern Zone, Shillong, Director of School Education and Literacy Members, Chief Engineer PHЕ, Labour Commissioner, Director of Social Welfare, Head, Department of Environmental Studies, North-Eastern Hill University , Representative from CSIR -Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad, Representative from Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI), Hyderabad.
District Level Executing Committee
Constituted in each district affected by coal mining.
- Chairperson: Deputy Commissioner
- Member Secretary: Divisional Forest Officer (Territorial / Social Forestry)
- Members: Representative from the Directorate of Mineral Resources, Representative from the Autonomous District Councils, Executive Engineer, PHE , District School Education Officer, Deputy/Assistant Labour Commissioner, Representative from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Representative from the Meghalaya Basin Development Agency (MBDA), Representative from Institute/Firm/Organization implementing the projects, Three representatives from villages affected by coal mining in the District.
Monitoring Group
- Chairperson: Non-Official Expert in the field of Mining or Environment
- Member Secretary: Mining Officer, Directorate of Mineral Resources
- Members: 2 Non-official Experts in the field of Mining or Environment, Representative of NESAC.
Operation of the Account
The money in the Fund is held and operated as laid down in the Revised Guidelines.
Savings Bank Account
Funds accrued under the MEPRF are kept in a Savings Bank Account in a Nationalised Bank.
Joint Operation
The account is operated under the joint signature of the Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Mining & Geology Department and the Director of Mineral Resources.
Fixed Deposits
A portion of the Fund may be invested in 2–3 Fixed Deposits for periods ranging from 6 months to 3 years. The Member Secretary of the Steering Committee maintains the books of accounts.
Use of Interest
With the prior approval of the Chairman, NGT Committee, Meghalaya, a portion of the interest may meet the remuneration of contractual staff, sitting fees and TA/DA of non-official members, and administrative, institutional and monitoring & evaluation expenses.
Utilisation of the Fund
The Fund carries out the Action Plan prepared by the NGT Committee, Meghalaya for restoring the environment in areas affected by coal mining, and may also be used for:
Pilot Reclamation Projects
Pilot projects on the reclamation of abandoned coal mines, involving reputed institutes.
Master Plan & Consultancy
Engaging consultants to prepare a master plan and advise on restoring areas affected by coal mining.
Closing Exhausted Mines
Closing underground mines whose mineable coal is exhausted, with suitable technology, so that there is no threat of fire, subsidence or other damage.
Sealing Mine Entries
Sealing the entries of mines not in use that have the potential to become productive in future.
Drinking Water Supply
Providing drinking water supply.
Compensation
Compensation for the loss of life or property due to coal mining.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation of persons affected by coal mining activities in the State.
Preventing Illegal Mining
Strengthening the regulatory framework to prevent illegal mining and the illegal transportation of coal.
Other Approved Activities
Any other activity, with the prior approval of the NGT Committee, Meghalaya.
Project Implementation Process
- District Level Executing Committee prepares the Annual Action Plan from the approved projects and submits it to the Technical Committee.
- Technical Committee scrutinises the plan, certifies its technical feasibility and approves the rates, then forwards it to the Steering Committee.
- Steering Committee recommends the plan and places it before the NGT Committee, Meghalaya for approval.
- Execution through Government Departments, agencies, statutory bodies, public sector undertakings and Autonomous District Councils, or a competent agency chosen through a transparent process with the prior approval of the State Government.
- Monitoring Group tracks progress, inspects the works in the field and reports to the Steering Committee and the NGT Committee.
- Annual Report and audited accounts are approved by the Steering Committee and laid before the State Legislative Assembly and the NGT Committee.