KHADC firm not to allow uranium mining

SHILLONG, JUNE 21: Firming up its stand the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Tuesday made abundantly clear that it will not issue NOC for mining of uranium under its jurisdiction.

“We will not issue any NOC for mining of uranium in the region,” KHADC CEM Pynshngain N Syiem told the house during the ongoing summer session. He was replying to a resolution moved by the opposition HSPDP MDC Pyniaid Sing Syiem who demanded that the executive committee ‘ban’ intentions to mine uranium within the jurisdiction of the KHADC.

Pyniaid  wanted to know the stand of the ruling PDF led EC on the issue of uranium mining even as he referred the stand taken of  the three regional parties – KHNAM, UDP & HSPDP- former coalition partners under the ARPA led alliance on uranium mining.

“We need to take strong resolution to ensure that the KHADC will not entertain any company or agency who applies even in the name of drilling of uranium,” Pyniaid said.

He was of the opinion that the reports of the ill-effects of uranium on the health of the people were justification not allowed mining in the region. He said  there growing apprehension that the Government of India is trying every possible ways to get to mine this mineral, which is found in abundant in areas falling under the council’s jurisdiction.

Pyniaid also hailed the protests by several ngos including KSU and FKJGP against uranium mining in the state and asked the KHADC EC to come out with an official notification on the issue.

On this, Syiem while stating that it will not be advisable to use the word ‘ban’ said that the proceeding of the house is enough to be an official document on the stand of the KHADC with regard to the issue.

Pyniaid withdraw his resolution after he was satisfied with the assurance of the EC.-By Our Reporter