UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Panel flags absence of policy to shut mines in Meghalaya

Q1. In the context of the National Green Tribunal's order of 17 April 2014 concerning Meghalaya, the mining practice that was prohibited as 'rat-hole mining' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. Removing all the overburden by terracing an entire hillside so that every coal seam is exposed for surface extraction
  • B. Boring narrow exploratory holes across a lease so that the whole coal reserve is blocked out before any extraction begins
  • C. Sinking narrow pits to reach the coal seam and then driving horizontal tunnels about two to four feet high sideways into it
  • D. Driving narrow inclined roadways from a riverbank into the seam, which are invariably sealed off before each monsoon

Q2. With reference to the National Green Tribunal's 2014 intervention on coal mining in Meghalaya, consider the following statements: 1. The order stopping rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya was passed on 17 April 2014. 2. The proceedings arose from a petition concerning unregulated coal mining in the Garo Hills districts of the State. 3. The petitioners before the Tribunal included the All Dimasa Students' Union and the Dima Hasao District Committee. 4. Besides mining itself, the order also stopped the transportation of coal already extracted before its date. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The order stopping rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya was passed on 17 April 2014.
  2. The proceedings arose from a petition concerning unregulated coal mining in the Garo Hills districts of the State.
  3. The petitioners before the Tribunal included the All Dimasa Students' Union and the Dima Hasao District Committee.
  4. Besides mining itself, the order also stopped the transportation of coal already extracted before its date.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3

Q3. The one-man committee headed by Justice (retd.) B.P. Katakey, which monitors compliance on coal mining in Meghalaya, submits its periodic interim reports to which one of the following?

  • A. The Eastern Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal at Kolkata
  • B. The High Court of Meghalaya at Shillong
  • C. The Coal Controller's Organisation under the Ministry of Coal
  • D. The Directorate General of Mines Safety, Dhanbad

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the findings of the Justice B.P. Katakey Committee on coal mining in Meghalaya: 1. Its 2018 report found that the State had granted no environmental clearance to any rat-hole coal mine. 2. Its 27th interim report (2025) recommended drone surveillance across all districts of the State. 3. By the end of 2024 the panel estimated that close to 24,000 illegal rat-hole mines were still operational in the State. 4. Its 39th interim report certified that the State had by then adopted a comprehensive policy for closing and sealing rat-hole mine openings. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Its 2018 report found that the State had granted no environmental clearance to any rat-hole coal mine.
  2. Its 27th interim report (2025) recommended drone surveillance across all districts of the State.
  3. By the end of 2024 the panel estimated that close to 24,000 illegal rat-hole mines were still operational in the State.
  4. Its 39th interim report certified that the State had by then adopted a comprehensive policy for closing and sealing rat-hole mine openings.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q5. Consider the following statements about the coal worked by rat-hole mining in Meghalaya: 1. Meghalaya's coal is uniformly low in sulphur, so acidic discharge from abandoned mine mouths is entirely ruled out. 2. The vertical pits sunk to reach the coal seam may extend from about 5 metres to about 100 metres in depth. 3. The seams worked are thin, generally ranging from about 30 cm to a little over two metres in thickness. 4. The seams occur embedded in sandstones and shales of Eocene age. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Meghalaya's coal is uniformly low in sulphur, so acidic discharge from abandoned mine mouths is entirely ruled out.
  2. The vertical pits sunk to reach the coal seam may extend from about 5 metres to about 100 metres in depth.
  3. The seams worked are thin, generally ranging from about 30 cm to a little over two metres in thickness.
  4. The seams occur embedded in sandstones and shales of Eocene age.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 1 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q6. Enforcement of the statutory provisions for the safety of persons employed in mines, including coal mines, in India is entrusted to which one of the following?

  • A. The Coal Controller's Organisation, an attached office of the Ministry of Coal
  • B. The Indian Bureau of Mines, a subordinate office of the Ministry of Mines
  • C. Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited
  • D. The Directorate General of Mines Safety, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment

Q7. The Detailed Project Reports for the two pilot mine-restoration projects in Meghalaya, which remain pending before the National Green Tribunal, are being prepared by which one of the following?

  • A. The Indian Bureau of Mines, the sole authority that approves every mine closure plan in the country
  • B. The Geological Survey of India, which prepares all restoration reports for abandoned coal mines
  • C. Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited
  • D. The North Eastern Coalfields unit of Coal India Limited, headquartered at Margherita in Assam

Q8. With reference to the escrow arrangement prescribed under India's coal-sector mine closure framework, which one of the following statements is correct?

  • A. It is maintained with a scheduled bank with the Directorate General of Mines Safety as the exclusive beneficiary.
  • B. It is maintained with a scheduled bank with the Coal Controller's Organisation as the exclusive beneficiary.
  • C. The entire amount is released to the mine owner as soon as the final mine closure plan is approved.
  • D. It is a single lump-sum payment made when the lease is granted, and is unrelated to the area of the mine.

Q9. In Meghalaya, how is royalty on coal collected and apportioned as between the State Government and the Autonomous District Councils?

  • A. It is collected by the Autonomous District Councils, which retain the whole of it.
  • B. It is collected by the Coal Controller's Organisation and passed on in full to the State Government.
  • C. It is collected by the State Government and shared equally with the Autonomous District Councils.
  • D. It is collected by the State Government and shared with the District Councils in the ratio 75:25.

Q10. Which one of the following correctly states the position taken by the Supreme Court on the ownership of coal lying under tribal-owned land in Meghalaya?

  • A. Ownership of both the land and the minerals under it vests in the State Government, the Sixth Schedule notwithstanding.
  • B. Ownership of the minerals vests in the Autonomous District Councils, which may permit mining without State licences.
  • C. Tribal landowners own the land as well as the minerals beneath it, but mining must comply with the MMDR Act, 1957.
  • D. Tribal landowners own the land as well as the minerals beneath it, and are therefore outside the MMDR Act, 1957.

Q11. Consider the following statements comparing the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 with the environmental adjudication laws that preceded it: 1. The Act of 2010 repealed both the National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995 and the National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997. 2. The tribunal contemplated by the Act of 1995 was never actually established. 3. Unlike the appellate authority under the Act of 1997, the Tribunal under the Act of 2010 exercises only original jurisdiction and has no power to hear appeals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Act of 2010 repealed both the National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995 and the National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997.
  2. The tribunal contemplated by the Act of 1995 was never actually established.
  3. Unlike the appellate authority under the Act of 1997, the Tribunal under the Act of 2010 exercises only original jurisdiction and has no power to hear appeals.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. Consider the following statements about the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL): 1. It is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited and functions as the latter's planning, design and exploration arm. 2. It is headquartered at Ranchi and holds Mini Ratna status. 3. Its service lines include geomatics, exploration and environmental monitoring for coal and other minerals. 4. It is a statutory body constituted under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited and functions as the latter's planning, design and exploration arm.
  2. It is headquartered at Ranchi and holds Mini Ratna status.
  3. Its service lines include geomatics, exploration and environmental monitoring for coal and other minerals.
  4. It is a statutory body constituted under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 1 and 3
  • D. 2 and 4