By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Cabinet on Friday approved the controversial Meghalaya Mines and Mineral Policy, 2012.
Speaking to media persons after a Cabinet meeting on Friday, Deputy Chief Minister and in charge of Mining and Geology, Bindo M Lanong, said the Policy has provisions for proper and scientific mining of minerals in the State.
The State Cabinet had, earlier, deferred approval of the Policy on two occasions citing the reason that certain clauses needed to be incorporated in the Policy.
The basic feature of the Policy is to develop and exploit mineral resources in the State in a scientific manner after taking into consideration the interests of the local people.
“With this policy the Government will now have a say in matters related to mining in the State,” Lanong told reporters.
The policy intends to promote mining-based industries and generate employment especially for the local people besides safeguarding and protecting the environment, rivers, rivulets and aquatic life in the State.
The Policy is also expected to put in place measures to curb illegal extraction of minerals, ensure the safety of miners and to help obviate environmental degradation, amongst others.
Under the Policy, the State Government will also constitute a Mineral Advisory Committee comprising of technical experts.
The mine owners would be required to provide health care, education, drinking water, safe and hygienic conditions of living and welfare facilities to the mine workers and their families, as envisaged under the relevant Labour Laws.
“The mine owners will also have to set up health centres for their workers,” the Minister added.
The Policy will also seek to prohibit child labour in mines.
The State Government has also come up with stringent safety measures in the Policy which has to be adopted by the mine owners for the safety of the workers.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said the Cabinet approved the draft Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy prepared by the Mining and Geology department after a brief discussion.
“We hope that the Policy would help regulate mining in the State by bringing the sector under different statutory laws,” Dr Sangma said.
Earlier, the Gauhati High Court had imposed penalties of Rs 5 lakh on the State Government for failing to take tangible steps in the matters pertaining to framing of Mining policy besides asking Chief Secretary WMS Pariat to submit a report on the steps taken by the Government to implement the mining policy in the next hearing to be held on November 30.
Also in March last, a Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court had imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the State Government for failing to put in place the Mining Policy despite the Supreme Court directive dating a few years.
The Supreme Court had directed the State Government to draft a Mining Policy in 2005.
Objectives of the Mining Policy
* To facilitate exploration work for accurate reserve estimation of mineral deposits.
* To develop and exploit mineral resources in a scientific and sustainable manner, taking into account the interest of the State and people.
* To review the existing practice of random exploitation of mineral resources and to regulate mineral exploitation.
* To carry out geological mapping of mineral resources.
* To promote investment in mining and industry to generate employment for local people.
* To promote research and development activities in mineral sector.
* To ensure establishment of appropriate training facility for human resource development to meet the man power requirement of the mineral industry.
* To minimize adverse effect of mineral development on the environment and ecology through appropriate preventive and control measures.
* To ensure conduct of mining operation with due regard to safety and health of all concerned.
* To create a database on the mineral resources.
* To take steps to promote geo-tourism.
* To promote private sector participation in various aspects of mineral development.
* To encourage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the mining sector.
* To safeguard the rights of miners, mine owners, workers and mining industry.