The National Green Tribunal on Friday imposed a fine of whopping Rs 100 crore on the Meghalaya government for its failure to curb illegal coal mining in the state. A senior advocate, who is assisting the Tribunal as an amicus curiae in the matter, said a report of a high-level committee was submitted on January 2 before a bench headed by NGT chairperson AK Goel.

The report stated that the majority of the mines in the northeastern state were operating without a lease or licence. The Tribunal imposed fine on the state government as a "deterrent" and for its "inaction" to curb illegal mining in the northeastern state.