Shillong, Mar 28: The VPP-led new executive committee (EC) of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has assured to put pressure on the state government to bring necessary amendments to Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules (MMMCR), 2016 to address difficulties faced by small-time miners engaged in traditional mining.
“I assure the House that EC will try to find out ways and means especially on how to put pressure on the state government for bringing necessary amendments to address the problems faced by small-time miners and also to ensure that such mining activities do not affect the environment,” KHADC chief Shemborlang Rynjah said while replying to a motion moved by Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne.
The leader of the Voice of the People Party (VPP)-led EC said the latter would also submit its suggestions on the matter.
“The Council had earlier suggested the need to include ‘traditional mining’ in MMMCR, 2016 which I feel is very important,” Rynjah said.
Warning of more destruction to be caused to the environment by use of heavy machinery as opposed to traditional mining, he said the latter will not only slow down environmental degradation, but also create a lot of employment opportunities.
He, however, said the role of district council in this regard is limited to issuing the no objective certificate.
