Friday, March 29, 2024
spot_img

Coal baron cum minister to fight against NGT ban

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

Thousands will die of hunger, says PWD Minister Dhar

SHILLONG: PWD Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, a known coal baron of the State, has come out in support of the coal miners and exporters in Jaintia Hills to fight the ban imposed by the national green Tribunal (NGT) on rat hole mining in the State.

Dhar also informed that the Jaintia Hills Coal Miners’ and Dealers’ Association (JHCM&DA) has decided to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the ban.

“The ban imposed by the NGT will affect thousands of the people who are directly or indirectly dependent on coal mining activities. Many people who are totally dependent on coal mining would die of hunger,” Dhar, the sitting legislator from Nartiang, said on Sunday.

He argued that the ban will also add to the unemployment problem since a large number of people would be jobless if there is a blanket ban on rat hole mining in the State.

Informing that he, along with two other legislators – Justin Dkhar and Hopeful Bamon – had attended a meeting convened by JHCM&DA, Dhar said, “During the meeting we had a detailed deliberation on the possible long term impact of the ban.” The Nartiang legislator said that they would appeal the apex court to direct the NGT to suggest ways and means to introduce more scientific methods of mining instead of imposing a blanket ban.

“I am supporting the move of the Association since as a Minister and as a public representative I cannot sit still,” he said.

He asserted that he would take the legal course to fight for the people since he did not want the people of Jaintia Hills to encounter a situation akin to the problems faced by people in West Khasi Hills after the Supreme Court had imposed a ban on felling timber.

He also reminded that mining of coal has been an age old practice in the State and thousands of people earn their livelihood through this activity.

“I am really surprised that the NGT has imposed this ban without considering the adverse impact of such a ban,” the legislator added.

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

Adah Sharma’s fitness mantra: Workouts should always be fun, best with friends

Shillong, March 29: Actress Adah Sharma, who is a practitioner of weapon-based martial art Silambam, has shared the...

Delhi HC to examine Google’s Advertising terms for legal remedies in India

Shillong, March 29: The Delhi High Court has said that it will examine whether the terms of Google’s...

Salman’s update on ‘Dabangg 4′: ‘Jaise hi dono bhai ek script mein lock hojayengay’

Shillong, March 29: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has shared an update on the fourth instalment of his popular...

RBI to shut Rs 2000 banknote exchange facility for a day on April 1

Shillong, March 29: The RBI announced on Thursday that the facility for exchange and deposit of Rs 2000...