Shillong, Sept 10: In what can be a first positive response to Meghalaya’s persistent call for review of the scientific mining criteria – especially the minimum area – a Central team is likely to visit the State to check the ground situation in October this year.
Informing about a meeting between state and central officials in New Delhi, Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla on Thursday said, “The meeting was very progressive. Our officers have been following up on scientific coal mining in Meghalaya.”
In the meeting, the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL) explained what is feasible, especially in East Jaintia Hills, according to the MLA.
“They were very positive and are likely to visit Meghalaya to see how mining is functioning on the ground,” Shylla said.
She said the meeting was a follow-up to the memorandum submitted earlier by her along with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to the Centre.
“In the memorandum, we had highlighted several points, but the main request was to reduce the size requirement for scientific mining. Open-cast mining is not feasible in Meghalaya as it is expensive and will lead to environmental degradation. Moreover, land ownership here is mostly private and individual, not community-based, so individual licensing should be considered,” she said.
Stating that people of the state, particularly in the coal belt, are suffering financially due to the ban, Shylla said the government is working hard to resume regulated mining.
“Since 2019, this is the first time the Government of India is very positive. The Chief Minister is working tirelessly day and night for the people and keeps pushing the matter, and we are supporting him in every way,” she said, adding that the Centre has not fixed a date yet but the visit is likely in October.
