Hyderabad, Feb. 6 -- Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy emphasised the pressing issue of illegal mining in Meghalaya, stating that the problem needs to be fixed under the supervision of the state government.

Speaking to ANI on Thursday about the recent coal mine accident in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, Reddy noted that Meghalaya has no government-operated coal mines and that no coal block has been auctioned so far.

"An accident has occurred in illegal coal mines in Meghalaya. Several people died. There is no Govt of India coal mine in Meghalaya. Not even one block of coal mine has been auctioned to date. Neither PSU coal mines nor commercial coal mines exist there. Illegal coal mining occurs there. This needs to be stopped u...