Shillong, Oct 5: The government appears to have caved in to the coal mining lobby as it refused to do away with the rat-hole mining in the mining policy that was approved by the cabinet Friday. The mining policy is almost toothless as scientific mining cannot co-exist with rat-hole mining.
Interestingly, deputy chief minister BM Lanong- who holds the mining portfolio- justified the mining policy’s inability to do away with the rat-hole mining in coal mines of the state by saying, “There will be war between the stakeholders, miners and the government if we do away with the rat-hole mining practices.”
With regards to reports of children working in the coal mines, Lanong shockingly said, “Isolated cases of child labour cannot be ruled out.”
Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said, “Meghalaya now has the mining policy,” .He said the government is happy that it could deliberate on this before the cabinet could consider the proposal and approve the policy.
Lanong who together with Sangma briefed the media said, “The 25 paragraph policy has provisions for proper and scientific mining operations of minerals in the state which would allow the government to step in and regulate mining activities in the state.” He said the policy has accepted rat-hole mining of coal practiced predominantly in the state.
Lanong, however, said the policy would provide scope for mining of minerals in a more scientific and in a sustainable manner taking the interest of the state and its people. He informed the policy was also drafted to minimize the adverse effect of mining on environment and ecology by adopting appropriate preventive measures and ensuring that mining operations is done
considering the safety and health of all concerns.
Regarding the water bodies being polluted in the coal belts areas, Lanong said the policy have outlined the importance of protecting the water bodies like rivulets, rivers and streams, drinking water sources, aquatic lives and also safe guard the environment from various pollutants.
The cabinet recommended for setting up the Mineral Advisory Committee to decide on the welfare and socio-economic condition of the mining areas, Lanong said the committee will comprise of technical exports and officials to advise the government on various issues regarding mining. Regarding reports of the presence of child labourers working in coal mines, he discounted it but said it can be isolated cases. By Our Reporter
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