By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In a virtual U-turn, Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M Lanong on Wednesday said the State Government did not take any decision to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the mining sector under the recently announced State Mining Policy.
“FDI is a Central Subject and the State Government would have to get an approval from the Centre to bring it in the State,” the Deputy Chief Minister added.
It may be mentioned that after announcing the state Cabinet’s approval to the Meghalaya Mines and Mineral Policy, 2012, Lanong had told The Shillong Times that the State Cabinet also cleared the way for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the mining sector in Meghalaya.
He had even cited the example of Lafarge, which according to him was an example of existence of FDI in the State. However, following opposition from various quarters, including Social Organizations of Meghalaya Against Land Alienation (SOMALA), on FDI in mining sector, the Deputy Chief Minister, it seems, changed his stand and said there was no move on the part of the government to allow FDI in mining sector.
He, however, said, “We will encourage investors from outside the State, and added that the Government would consider allowing FDI “only if it benefits the State”.
Referring to the decision not to ban rat-hole mining, Lanong said, “Rat-hole mining cannot be done away with as it has been practised by people for ages to extract coal in the State. Ban will affect the poor who practise this kind of mining.”
Stating that the mining policy insists on necessary safety measures to be taken before carrying out the unscientific rat-hole mining for protection of the environment and the miners, Lanong said those who oppose the practice are welcome to suggest an alternative to the traditional method of mining.
