Govt to ask UCIL to keep EOI in abeyance

SHILLONG, JULY 22: Succumbing to the pressure from ngos, the state government on Friday directed the Uranium Corporation of India Limited to “keep in abeyance” its recent tender notice for Expression Of Interest (EOI) and all pre-uranium mining activities in the state.

The decision was taken at a meeting with over 15 ngos, which comprises of the anti-uranium mining groups and pro-road project groups, convened by the chief minister Mukul Sangma on Friday. The meeting discussed the two vital issues of uranium mining and pre-development activities.

Leaders of the Khasi Students Union (KSU), North East Students Organization (NESO), LYWA, Joint Action Committee of Social Organization (JACSO), JAC on Two-Laning from Nongstoin-Wahkaji-Mawthabah and others attended the meeting.

The state government admitted that the recent UCIL’s tender notice, which has come under severe opposition from several quarters, was floated without the of Meghalaya government.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, chief minister Mukul Sangma said, “Instructions have been given to the UCIL that all exercises pertaining to the EOI must be kept in abeyance.”

Stating that the state government has been consistent in its approach towards the issue, Sangma said, “In view of the collective concern and decision of the people and until and unless the people are convince on proposed uranium mining,  there will be no action on pre-mining activities in the state.”

“We will also communicate to the centre about the need to ensure that the UCIL do not resort to any action which may lead to doubts until such time that the state government is convince and the people of the state are also taken on board,” he added.

According to the chief minister, there is need for clarity on the stand of the state government and the people in respect to pre-mining activities by UCIL and other developmental programme which include road infrastructures.

The meeting was  informed of a cabinet decision taken on August 24, 2009 for agreeing to lease a land measuring 422 hectares to the UCIL for pre-mining activities.

Earlier, the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) had also accused the government for leasing the land located at Mawthabah, an area in South West Khasi Hills Ditrict which is rich in uranium deposit, to the UCIL for 30 years.

On this, Sangma said, “The 2009-cabinet decision has been kept in abeyance and was never implemented till today because the stand of the state government is that uranium mining can take place only after all stakeholders are taken on board.”

He also added, “In 2010 I met the then Prime Minister making the state government’s stand clear that anything regarding uranium mining cannot be done till we are fully convince as  people are opposing to the idea.”

On the other hand while stating that the question of apprehension that the UCIL has the land should be dispelled, as Sangma said there are existing laws in place to protect the interest of the people and it is not easy for UCIL to go ahead with uranium mining or pre-mining activities.

Sangma said, “Land has to be given to UCIL based on laws – the Land Transfer Act and mining activities can take place only after mining lease which is under the control of the government.”

Sangma said there is a need for people to trust the state government which represent them and which has been consistent and not shaky in its approach to the issue of uranium mining.-By Our Reporter