Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to ascertain whether the license issued for mining of limestone as a minor mineral is being misused to export the mineral. The HC observed a license for mining limestone as a minor mineral may only be issued if the end use of the product is a building material.

The PIL said, “Surely exporting goods to another country will not amount to the mineral being used for building material even if the same were used for building material in that country.” The petitioner said he has obtained a copy of a challan pertaining to limestone mining that brings to light the irregularities.

The petitioner produced before the court a challan used by miners and exporters as a license to export the limestone outside the country. HC has directed the petitioner to file his supplementary affidavit within a week. Accordingly, the state’s response to it should be filed within a fortnight thereafter.

The next hearing on the matter is scheduled on July 25.