‘State must write to NGT on its problem’

SHILLONG, MAY 20: Union minister for steel & mines Narendra Singh Tomar said the centre is aware about the effect of the ban on coal mining imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Meghalaya but he informed that the ruling of the NGT has to be accepted as the degradation of the environment is an area of critical concern and the need to protect the environment is a priority issue for the union government.

Tomar, however, added that the state Government can put forward its grievances before the NGT. He also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to the progress and development of the north eastern region and bring the region at par with the rest of the country in all realms of development.

Tomar met Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday and held a meeting.

Tomar told reporters after the meeting said that the xentral government and the state government will work together to bring about progress and prosperity in the state through interventions in areas such as mineral exploration.

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma stressed on the need for proper mechanisms to meet the various statutory laws to revive the mining activities as far as coal mining is concerned and added that there will be a joint exercise and some committees can be set up to look into the matter and format a mechanism to overcome the challenges.

Sangma further said that the state government is expecting full support from the union government in this regard and that the Ministry of Coal will also be involved in this exercise as it will have more synergy.

Sangma also said that various sections and clauses from the MMDR Act, 1957 and MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 were discussed in the meeting and how those sections come in the way of traditional and customary practices.

While stating there is a need to work out the modalities to overcome such issues, Sangma also informed that there is a need for proper mapping for exploration of minerals so that we know what is available and what is good for the state, the nation and the people.- By Our Reporter