May 27, 2022: Meghalaya as a state is known for the right reasons in terms of natural beauty, flora and fauna.

Majestically known as the abode of clouds this state is now in news for illegal transport gateway of coal.

The 3 Cs are having a cyclic effect in play recently in news and has come to light of a big scam.

The silence of Mr Conrad Sangma, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, on this matter and on illegal Coal Transportation in the state has raised quite a lot of eyebrows.

The name of convict Balwant Soni alias Bhama, his son Yodhistra Bhama and his wife are basically in the picture of this illegal coal transportation due to their firm Jai Maa Coal Pvt Ltd which forges false documents.

Jai Maa Coal Pvt Ltd, a firm based in Guwahati has been forging the bills and undervaluing the tax invoices and transporting coal from Meghalaya to Bangladesh through Gasuapara Custom Station. His modus operandi was:  He used false bills of washed coal brought from different parts of the country.

Noteworthy, in a matter of 3 years, the Bhama increased his wealth from Rs 3 lacs to Rs 100 crores and still continues to grow.

In 2016-17 the revenue stood at just Rs 3,53,000.

In 2017-18 it rose to Rs 158,41,3272.

In 2018-19 it went up to Rs 239,33,4940.

And in 2019-2020 it shot to Rs 417,09,0800

Why was the red carpet laid out for an outsider like Bhama?

It is alleged that Bhama has very good relations with Conrad Sangma and James Sangma or else it would not be possible to manipulate the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) and the entire department to this level.

Also, without any good connections, it would not be possible to lay down a red carpet for Bhama to run the illegal transport of coal not for months but for years.

• What is the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) doing?


• What is the District Commissioner doing?


• What is the Mining & Geology Department doing?

This coal syndicate running under Bhama collects Rs 1.3 lacs per truck and Bhama gets a share of Rs 50,000 for the false documents issued by his firm Jai Maa Coal Pvt Ltd.

Bhama has now become the (GFX 9) Coal India Limited of Meghalaya.

Bhama started giving challan or e-bills showing washed coal from Dhanbad which is nothing but false. The scam of these false bills in Meghalaya is worth more than Rs 1000 crore with Bhama leading the scam.

• Why is the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) doing nothing?


• What is the director of DMR David D. Sangma doing?


• Who is heading the Department of Mining and Geology?

The entire thing can only be cleared when the answers come forward.

Earlier the Meghalaya High Court passed orders to stop the illegal movement of coal in Meghalaya. The court had to intervene and take cognizance of the matter in the wake of a petition filed by an exporter over the legality of the transport of coal that is being exported into Bangladesh through the Gasuapara land custom station in Meghalaya.

• Isn’t it a big slap on the Meghalaya Government when courts are intervening?

The rise in fortune of an outsider has indeed raised the eyebrows of many.

• Is the CM favouring Bhama who is a convict?


• Is he turning a blind eye? Or


• Is he helpless?

Because an outsider is powerful enough to control the govt as he knows way too many secrets of the ministry.

Only time can tell what will happen as all eyes are on the High Court now.