While we look at the administration and judicial aspect to it, we also need to realise the social aspect, the livelihood aspect, and understand the humane side as to why this is happening: Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister
Shillong, Dec 9: Faced with the persisting challenge of illegal coal mining and the multiple aspects of it, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has called for an understanding of complexity of the issue and that the government needs to strike a balance between all.
“While we look at the administration and judicial aspect to it, we also need to realise the social aspect, the livelihood aspect, and understand the humane side as to why this is happening,” Sangma told reporters on Tuesday.
He pointed out that the 2014 ban on coal mining was sudden, and it came after the exercise deemed legal for 200 years, affecting livelihoods of people who had been dependent on it for generations.
Explaining the challenge in dealing with the issue, he said, “It’s not practically so simple for individuals who have their livelihood depending on mining for hundreds of years.”
Empathising “…suddenly you tell them you cannot do this and you cannot live your life or support your family through this.”
Sangma appealed for understanding on the humanitarian aspects of the issue, saying that the government is working towards finding alternative livelihoods for those affected.
“What is important for us to see is that slowly and steadily, we should find an alternative, and hopefully, we will find the situation where we are now in the coming days that we will have a safer system for the miners and a safer system,” he said.
Stating it is not a simple matter of declaring coal mining illegal overnight, Sangma said, “I have repeated this hundred times… Two things here – 2014 and before for 200 years, the mining was done in the way rat hole or tunnel mining, whatever you call it, and lakhs and lakhs of families were involved in this… suddenly you come and say, oh the same thing which was okay and legal for 200 years, is illegal from tomorrow.”
The chief minister emphasized that the sudden change has caused a shock to the people, especially the miners, who are struggling to adapt to the new reality. “Obviously, it was a big shock to the people, especially to the miners. Therefore, it takes time for them to come out of that mode where livelihood and their families and lives are dependent on that other businesses are dependent on it.”
Sangma defended the government’s actions and said they have taken steps to implement the ban on illegal mining, including filing thousands of cases, chargesheets, and closing down mines.
“Whenever there have been cases where we have been given information about facts that illegal mining has been happening, the government has acted.”
However, he also emphasised the need for alternative livelihoods for those affected by the ban. “For livelihood to be sustainable in the long run, alternatives have to be given to people. Now, if you want an alternative to mining, you have to come with scientific mining.”
Sangma assured that the government is working towards transitioning to a safer and more scientific mining system, but acknowledged that it will take time.
“The process is on. We have seen that transition from a rat hole to a scientific and safer mining os happening. It is going to happen, but it takes time because people have to invest, adapt, and file for different procedures, get permission from Delhi, Coal Ministry, CMPDCIL, government of Meghalaya – so it is going to take time,” he said.
