By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The HSPDP has opposed the proposed plan of the Government to encourage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Meghalaya Mines and Mineral Policy, 2012.
“We would not allow FDI in mining as this will liquidate and turn the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act upside-down. This will affect the ownership and economy of the people,” HSPDP spokesperson G Nonglong said in a statement issued here on Friday. He said that FDI in mining will add insult to injury to the already vexed issue of influx.
“As an integral part of our democracy, all stakeholders should be consulted effectively and the concerned authorities should be able to demonstrate flawlessly that such a high impact decision is right, genuine and beneficial to the state in general and people in particular without losing the identity and ownership of the people,” Nonglong said.
Earlier, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma stated that the Government is keen to rope in FDI in the mining sector while Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Mathew Lanong has contradicted the statement of Chief Minister by denying the formulation of any such plan on the part of the Government which might be a consequence following opposition from various quarters, including Social Organizations of Meghalaya Against Land Alienation (SOMALA).
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Environmental Social Organisation (MESO) has also strongly opposed the plan of the State Government to encourage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the mining sector.
“The small time miners would be totally wiped out once the FDI comes in. The small time miners do not have the resources to compete with the big foreign multinational companies,” MESO general secretary D Malai said while addressing a press conference here on Friday.
He also said that only the big businessmen of the area would be benefited if FDI comes to the State.
Meanwhile, Malai has also criticized the State Government for retaining the rate hole mining.
We won’t hesitate to say that the Government has taken this decision due to the pressure on the part of the coal barons,” MESO general secretary said.
Taking into consideration the rapid depletion of the environment, Malai said that the Government should encourage the use of new technologies which are environment friendly to save the environment from further destruction.
“There are many technologies which are being used in different countries which can be replicate in the State. It is for the Government to take a call on the introduction of the new technologies while mining of the various precious mineral resources,” he added.