Shillong, Mar 17: Coal mining has resumed in Meghalaya after 11 long years with the launch of operation of the state’s first scientific coal mining plant at Byndihati in East Jaintia Hills on Monday.
Rat-hole mining, which was the only method of mining of coal in the state till it was banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014, sill stay prohibited while efforts were on to find takers of scientific mining that involves more resources.
Chief minister Conrad K Sangma, while inaugurating the state’s first coal block for scientific mining at Saryngkham-A, Byndihati via video conferencing, termed it a historic occasion.
On the ground, cabinet minister Kyrmen Shylla, Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla, and JHADC executive member Hambertus Nongtdu, were present besides senior officials.
Congratulating all stakeholders for launch of scientific coal mining in the state, the chief minister particularly acknowledged the efforts of mine lease owner, Dapmain Shylla of Byndihati.
He admitted that the past 10 to 11 years had been extremely difficult for many people whose livelihoods were directly or indirectly tied to the coal industry.
“They endured financial hardships due to the coal mining ban,” he said.
He asserted that the issue of coal mining ban was accorded top priority when he became the chief minister for the first time in 2018.
The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government’s hard work in the past six-seven years has yielded the fruits through resumption of coal mining, he said.
Explaining what the government went through to see this day, he said, “The journey wasn’t so easy… it was like moving through uncharted territory.
“Difficulties that our people were going through really drove us… We had to find a way,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government is making efforts to clear other applications for mining of coal in a scientific manner.
Stating that beginning of operations at the first mine would make it easier for other aspirants to start their ventures as well, he said, “It is always complicated and difficult for the first one or two or three… but now it is now going to be easier for others who are behind.”
On the challenges faced to resume coal mining in a different form, Sangma said, “Land ownership and land rights issues (in Meghalaya) are different from the rest of the country.”
These complexities, he said, contributed to the delay in making scientific mining a reality.
Expressing the hope that inauguration of the first scientific coal mine would inspire others to join the sector, he said the government would continue encouraging interested applicants to take up scientific mining as a standard practice.
Meanwhile, he assured small-time miners of the state government’s constant engagement with government of India to find ways and means to allow traditional mining in the state.
The Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla expressed his gratitude to the chief minister for his leadership in ensuring scientific coal mining a reality in Meghalaya.
She also expressed the hope that his vision of transforming Meghalaya into a 10-billion-dollar economy by 2028 would come to fruition.
