SHILLONG, June 26 -- The Mining and Geology department on Wednesday informed that it has collected tax of Rs 443.30 crore for restoration of environment due to coal mining in the state during the last five years.The Mining and Geology department informed this to the state Assembly's Committee on Environment during a meeting held here on Wednesday.

According to the secretary of the department Dr Manjunatha C, Rs 430 crore was already transferred from the Meghalaya Environment Protection & Restoration Fund (MEPRF) account on January 30, this year, to HDFC and Axis Bank fixed deposits as directed by the NGT committee.

He said the remaining MEPRF amount of Rs 13.30 crore is in DMR current account and not credited to the government account....