Forum denies govt claims

SHILLONG, NOV 7: The State Co-ordination Committee of Coal Owners, Miners & Dealers Forum (SCCCOMDF) today expressed resentment on the claims of the state government that most of the coal miners in the state has consented to allow Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation (MMDC) to mine and extract coal from their coal mines.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, SCCCOMDF chairman Sonny L Khyriem said that this has confused and deceived the coal miners all over the state as many coal miners has bear out to have not subscribe to permit intrusion into their private lands.

He informed that the Forum had also moved an application to the court of the National Green Tribunal to oppose the state government’s intention on this matter.

“The matter in this regard is awaited for the NGT direction and to comments further in this light would amount to sub-judice to discuss issues publicly when matter are being considered by a court of law,” Khyriem said.

He said that the hearing on the matter related MMDC issue and also including those of the mining guidelines, mining policy, etc will be conducted on November 8, at New Delhi.

Khyriem further informed that the Forum as an impleading party has also moved an application before the Apex Court in New Delhi on July 2017 last, to appeal of allowing the remaining of the extracted coal for transportation, on which prayer will be heard along with others on the November 10.

By Our Reporter