Uranium mining issue

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAR 23: The Meghalaya government today agreed to hold a visit by the Assembly to the 1500 boreholes drilled for exploratory mining by the Uranium Corporation of India Limited in areas under South West Khasi Hills district.

“We will proceed with this and find out the facts and accordingly articulate the matter to the Centre based on our firm stand,” chief minister Mukul Sangma told the Assembly.

He was replying to a resolution moved by HSPDP chief Ardent M Basaiawmoit who demanded that the issue on uranium mining in Meghalaya be put to rest.

Basaiawmoit demanded that a House-visit should be conducted to such areas and take appropriate action while referring to an article indicating that more than 1500 boreholes have been drilled for exploratory project.

The article had also questioned the time, which is more than a decade, taken to complete the “so-called” exploratory project. According to it, the exploratory project is still being continued.

The chief minister said that the state government had communicated its stand to the Centre to ensure there is no activity related to uranium unless the people of the state are taken into consideration.

He said a similar communication was also made to the then Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh on the stand of the state government.

Moreover, he claimed that the Centre has never “pressurized” the state on the issue after 2010 and until now.

Stating that his government is committed to protect the interest of the people, Sangma said, “We are not playing to the gallery and we are firm in our stand, which is based on the strength and sentiments of the people of the state.”

Urging that there was no need to be shaky, he said that the state government had taken a bold decision and revoked the 2009 cabinet decision to lease land to the UCIL.

“In absence of land, how will they (UCIL) mine? Moreover, we have laws to protect us,” he said.

Recalling a presentation given before the cabinet in 2010, Sangma said, “When they (UCIL) cannot even convince us (about the negative and positive aspect of uranium mining), we asked them to go back and do their homework.”

He also claimed that the NGOs have expressed full faith in the stand of the government.

Sangma further reiterated that the state government is consistent in its approach and will not allow such mining to take place without the consent of the people.