By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has accepted that lot of areas in the existing Meghalaya Mines and Mineral Policy, 2012 need to be restructured.
Addressing the gathering at the Citizens Conference on Environmental Governance, Dr Sangma said lot of areas in the Policy need to be fine tuned so that its objective is met.
The Chief Minister also informed that the need for restructuring the Policy has been discussed with the Principal Secretary, Mining department.
The Policy which aimed at regulating mining activities in the State was approved by the Cabinet last year but was flayed by several stakeholders who cited serious loopholes in it. The objective of the Policy was to develop and exploit mineral resources in the State in a scientific manner after taking into consideration the interests of the local people.
The Chief Minister said the Bill was approved as the Government wanted to send a strong message to the people about Government’s commitment to regulate mining activities in the State.
“Since mining activities in the State remained unregulated for several years certain areas in the Policy has to be re-examined and fine tuned,” Dr Sangma said.
When asked if the Policy would lead to rumblings within Government folds, Dr Sangma denied any such possibility. “The main concern of the government is to come out with a policy which is acceptable to people,” he said.