Shillong, June 29: The state government is making effort to introduce scientific coal mining and at the same time urging the Centre to relax the minimum land requirement from 100 hectares to 5-10 hectares, Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla said on Monday.
“The government is very keen to go ahead with scientific coal mining as an alternative to the banned rat-hole mining,” she told reporters while referring to a meeting between Chief Minister Conrad K Sgnama and coal miners and dealer associations.
The miners also made a presentation to the government with a memorandum along with supporting documents, she said.
“The Chief Minister has taken the suggestions, and officers were present at the meeting,” she said.
The key recommendation is to make scientific mining viable for local miners by reducing the land threshold.
“The suggestion is to bring down the area from the present 100 hectares to 5 to 10 hectares, based on what is scientifically feasible,” she explained.
Highlighting the economic crisis in East Jaintia Hills, Shylla urged the Centre to act swiftly.
“Our people have been suffering for the past three to four months. They are in a bad shape right now. We hope the Government of India will take this matter very seriously and approve the proposal,” she said.
She added that the shift to scientific mining would also address safety concerns.
“We are looking for low-cost scientific mining because traditional or rat-hole mining is very hard and dangerous. This is for the benefit of the people,” Shylla said.
“All proper documents have been prepared and submitted. We stand with the people and with traditional mining, or whatever name it is given under the new framework. We are with it,” she said.
Shylla expressed confidence in the Chief Minister’s efforts to get central clearance.
“We hope the central government will approve reducing the land requirement to 5 hectares. I am quite sure our CM will be able to take up these suggestions with the Centre. We look up to him to give a solution for the people of East Jaintia Hills,” she said.
‘Coal will not last forever’
On the other hand, the Sutnga-Saipung MLA said East Jaintia Hills must diversify its economy as coal “will not last forever”.
She also announced plans to develop undiscovered waterfalls and caves for tourism.
“Coal will not last forever. These are natural resources — we don’t know when they will be there and when they will not. Today it’s coal, tomorrow it could be limestone or something else,” Shylla said.
“I definitely ask our people to divert business here and there because we cannot depend on coal alone,” she added.
Shylla said tourism offers a sustainable alternative for livelihoods in the district.
“Tourism is one sector that can really create livelihoods for our people. There are a few caves and waterfalls in East Jaintia Hills that are not yet discovered for tourism. I have already done the survey myself along with the village people,” she said.
She confirmed that proposals have been prepared to develop the sites.
However, the MLA declined to identify the locations.
“I cannot give you the names of the caves as they are not yet listed under tourism. Of course, they are in East Jaintia Hills,” she said.
Shylla also called for urgent reclamation of land damaged by coal mining.
“We have proposed a few of these open-cut areas for reclamation. Once we get schemes implemented in those areas, we can complete the reclamation and people will not be in danger in the future,” she said.
On infrastructure, she said the Jowai-Malidor road has improved but warned of monsoon hazards.
“The Jowai-Malidor road is quite okay now, much better compared to previous years. It is feasible for people to travel, but landslides keep happening because that is the nature of the area,” she said. “I urge our people to be careful during this time, especially traveling at night when there is heavy rain,” Shylla added.
