SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister, Meghalaya, BM Lanong also in charge of Mining and Geology etc., has said that the company Maheswari Mining Pvt. Ltd., a West Bengal based boring and drilling firm, which is allegedly involved in illegal drilling of uranium at Porkut-Nongjri situated opposite Domiasiat is doing so on behalf of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India.
“We have sat down last month where the officials of DAE were invited. The explanation given by the DAE officials is that the company is doing the work for them and an agreement exists between the two,” said Mr Lanong adding that the company is doing so with DAE’s knowledge.
The move came after the South West Khasi Hills Unit of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU-SWKHU) has raised concern over illegal drilling of uranium at the said site near Domiasiat where Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL) is planning to mine uranium in West Khasi Hills District. The KSU-SWKHU has also set a month’s time as deadline to the State Government and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) in this regard to initiate inspection and legal action against the mining company.
The student union has also lodged a complaint last month with the state government and the district council in this regard, stating that the company is allegedly involved in drilling without getting clearance from the concerned authorities, not even from the state government and KHADC.
“We will sit again and see whether such outsourcing is valid and genuine. The State Mining and Geology Department will take further action after compiling all necessary information on this issue following investigation,” added Mr. Lanong.
The student union also alleged that the company managed to get permission from Hima Nongstoin and the land owners of the area. The union alleges that the company managed to get NOC which was granted by the then acting Syiem of Nongstoin Syiemship on July 2, 2009. Again on March 3, 2009 the Nongtnger Langumsur clan, the actual owner of the land, entered into an agreement with the company for carrying out drilling activities after receiving a compensation of Rs 6 lakh for two years.