KHADC not to issue NOC for mining of uranium

SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) chief  Pynshngain N Syiem has made it clear that the council will not issue no objection certificate (NOC) for mining of uranium under its jurisdiction.
“We will not issue any NOC for mining of uranium in the region,” Syiem told the House on the second day of the ongoing summer session of the Council  on Tuesday.
Syiem was replying to a resolution moved by the opposition HSPDP member Pyniaid Sing Syiem who demanded that the executive committee should clamp a ‘ban’ any intention to mine uranium within the jurisdiction of the KHADC.
Moving a resolution, Pyniaid said, “The NOC should not be issued to any company that has the intention to mine uranium. The Executive Committee (EC) should say  a firm ‘no’ to companies seeking to mine uranium.”
Asserting that the Central Government through its various departments has targeted to mine uranium in these areas, he said, “The locals are more aware of the dangers of mining uranium and in the long run it will affect the health of the people. Scientists have pointed out the dangers of uranium mining ) and the radiation emitted by the metal which has harmful effects.”
Syiem added that developmental projects in the state will lose its meaning if the people suffer from various infirmities and health hazards. Replying to the motion, Executive Member (EM) in-charge Land & Market Hadrian Lyngdoh stated that uranium mining is the subject matter of the Central Government. The EC will examine the matter further, he said while agreeing that there are harmful effects from uranium mining.