SHILLONG, AUG 12: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has asked the Centre to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 to restart coal mining in Meghalaya.
A UDP delegation led by cabinet minister Lahkmen Rymbui raised the demand during a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
Rymbui said mining has been banned since the 2014 court order, leaving thousands without livelihoods.
“Since 1970 we have been doing coal mining in our state, and until 2014 it was going on smoothly. But suddenly, because of a ruling by the authorities, it affected and brought to a halt the livelihood of people in our state,” he told reporters.
He said the state government, led by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, has been pushing since 2018 for changes to the Act to suit Meghalaya’s land ownership system, where land is largely held by individuals.
The UDP also flagged that open cast mining is not viable here due to coal seams of only 1-2 feet, unlike 7-8 feet in other states. Referring to former MP Prof. G.G. Swell, Rymbui said coal mining was once treated as a cottage industry.
“So, they are discussing amending the Act so that even a person who owns land can do the work,” he said.
Shah assured that a committee will be formed to study the matter. The delegation also urged the Centre to consider public sentiment on uranium mining.
By Our Reporter
