SHILLONG, APR 12: The NPP-led Meghalalya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government on Thursday decided to pursue the resolution passed by the state Assembly to urge Centre’s intervention for resolving the ongoing ban on coal mining in the state.
The ninth Meghalaya Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution in 2015 to urge the Centre to invoke Para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule through a Presidential notification to exempt Meghalaya from the Central laws related to mining which include the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, and the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act.
Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting held here, senior cabinet minister Prestone Tynsong said, “We have decided to pursue the resolution passed by the House in 2015 with the Centre government for its consideration.”
He also informed that the chief minister Conrad K Sangma will be leading a team comprising of ministers to New Delhi on Friday to discuss with the Centre on how to find a way out of the ban on coal mining in the state.
“We will urge the Centre to invoke para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution to exempt the state from the provisions of Central laws on mining,” Tynsong said.
He however maintained that getting Meghalaya exempted from the applicability of Central laws on mining does not mean that the state has to compromise with issues concerning the environment.
He said the chief minister on returning from Delhi would also present a statement in the Assembly in this current budget session of the tenth Assembly.
Asked, the senior cabinet minister said that during the meeting it was discussed on how to move forward and ensure that the ban on coal mining in the state is lifted as it has affected the economy of the state and the people.
He said that the state’s advocate general, Amit Kumar was also present since there are also matters related to mining which are pending in courts – Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal.
The National Green Tribunal has banned coal mining in Meghalaya since April 17, 2014 and the ban will complete four years on April 17 this year.
By Our Reporter
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