By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government has once again claimed that the State Mining Policy is ready and will be imminently tabled before the State Cabinet for approval.
Talking to The Shillong Times here on Friday, Deputy Chief Minister and incharge of Mining and Geology, Bindo M Lanong, said, “We have incorporated all the legal aspects as directed by the Cabinet.”
Last month, the State Cabinet had deferred finalisation of the much-awaited policy by observing that certain regulatory aspects of the policy had not been completed, adding there was a need to incorporate certain regulations and legal point of views in the proposed Mining Policy.
Lanong also rubbished reports that the government was intentionally delaying the Policy as it did not want to antagonize the powerful miners’ lobby in the State at a time when elections are just round the corner.
“I don’t agree to it and I don’t even see any connection between the Policy and the elections,” he added.
It may be recalled that last month, a Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court had imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the State Government for failing to implement the mines and mineral policy.