Govt decision after days of hunger strike by small-time miners
Shillong, June 17: In a bid to address the small-time miners, who have been opposing the current mining policy, the state government has reportedly agreed to constitute a committee to draft a Small Scale Mining Policy.
The decision was taken at a meeting between Jaintia Coal Mines and Stone Quarries Welfare Association (JCOMSWA) and the state’s Chief Secretary, following days of hunger strike by coal miners in East Jaintia Hills district.
The committee will comprise the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills and representatives of JCOMSWA, the association informed on Wednesday.
It will be tasked with drafting the policy framework for small and marginal miners in the district, according to the association’s information secretary Overcome Dkhar.
The government also agreed to temporarily halt the movement of coal coming from outside the state until Justice (Retd) BP Katakey visits on June 29, 2026, he said.
Officials further clarified that affected persons can avail benefits under the Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund (MEPRF), which is administered through the DC office in East Jaintia Hills.
The government additionally promised to discuss with the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) the framing of a law to protect landowners’ rights.
Despite the assurances, the association said it is “not 100% satisfied” and will continue the hunger strike until Justice Katakey arrives.
Dkhar stated that the association’s president remains hospitalized and that the protest will continue until there is clarity on reopening coal mines for small and marginal miners to resume work as before.
On scientific mining, Dkhar said the association does not accept the current 100-hectare model as small miners lack the capacity and resources to operate at that scale.
The hunger strike in East Jaintia Hills began over demands for the resumption of mining operations and a policy tailored to small-scale miners affected by the ban on rat-hole mining.
