By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Contrary to the view of the Meghalaya Government, the Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma on Saturday called for a blanket ban on rat hole mining.
“It (rat hole mining) is hazardous to human lives as well as environment,” Miss Sangma, who is camping in Shillong, said.
The Union Minister, who did her masters from the Nottingham University in UK on Environment Management, said instead of rat hole mining some suitable scientific measures should be adopted for extracting coal and other minerals.
On the state mining policy, she said the Government should bring in experts to form a core group to frame the policy.
“What we need is an effective mining policy. Safety of the people and the environment should get priority not monetary benefits,” she added.