Guwahati, March 13 -- The auction of seized coal by the Assam Geology and Mining department has underscored the continued prevalence of illegal rat-hole coal mining in the state, despite bans imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court in 2014.

The auction, initiated on Wednesday (March 12, 2025) by the Directorate of Geology and Mining, involves 15159.9505 MT of coal seized from various locations in the Ledo-Margherita area of Tinsukia district.

The seized coal originates from areas including Ledo Tikok, Namdang NC, Namdang NLR, Borgolai 1, Tipongpani Notun Gaon, Paharpur NC Village, Balijan NC Village, Lal Pahar Pathar Gaon, Lalpahar, Saliki NC, and Ledo Tikok No 2 NLR.

This auction has shown that illegal minin...