SHILLONG, MAR 15: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma on Tuesday expressed optimism of resolving the NGT ban on coal mining once the guidelines on coal mining activities and proposal to invoke Para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule is approved.
“We are hopeful that as substantial progress have taken place in regards to the discussion, we are hopeful that sooner than later we will be able to resolve this issue,” Sangma told the assembly while replying to a motion on Tuesday.
He said, “We also expect very favourable support to our proposal (invoke of para 12 A (b)) because as of now number of discussions and number of meetings are going on.”
The state assembly last year adopted a resolution to urged the centre for invoking Para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule through a presidential notification to ensure the relevant provisions of two acts – MMDR and Coal Mines Nationalization Act, 1973 is exempted for operation in Meghalaya.
Earlier, the NGT in several of its hearings had directed the state government to framed guidelines for coal mining activities in the state and had asked concerned ministries to accordingly examine the same.
The NGT had imposed a blanket ban on unscientific rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya since April 17, 2014 which has affected the overall economic of the state.
“The latest position is that the state government has been asked to frame guidelines on coal mining activities in the state which has been done and submitted to NGT and Ministry of Coal,” he informed.
According to him, the guidelines framed will takes care of various statutory laws in respect of environment, pollution, health and safety of workers.
He also added, “Our exercise to prevail upon the Centre to invoke the relevant provision of Para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution has not been ignored.”
Stating that ministries are already in the process of examining, Sangma said, “There has been number of discussions going on for both the proposals of the government including the guidelines submitted to line ministries.”
Informing that views of various line ministries was also sought, the CM said, “Recently Ministry of Coal has referred this whole development after examination to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The whole exercise is being piloted through MHA under supervision of the cabinet secretary himself.”
“I also held number of engagements on the sidelines while attending number of meetings with officials and union ministers and we are following it up,” he said.
Referring to resolution adopted by the house on Para 12A (b), Sangma said, “This state government has taken one of the most important step to protect the interest of the people and to restore rights of people over the mine itself.” “Because as it stands today if Coal Mines Nationalization Act, 1973 is to be interpreted legally that means nobody has the right on the coal mines…it is as simple as that,” he added.
The chief minister also emphasized on the need to ensure that miners in the state do not indulge in various attempt to violate the various orders of the NGT as this will only paint a ‘negative picture’.
Sangma said that it is important for everybody in the state to demonstrate the sense of responsibility while engaging in mining activities and added that as leaders the legislators must prevail upon the people to demonstrate the spirit of responsible mining while continuing with their rights.-By Our Reporter
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