JOWAI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban on coal mining has had a huge impact on the economy of Jaintia Hills and the worst sufferers include those running small shops in several prominent weekly markets in the villages of East and West Jaintia Hills.
During a visit to Jaintia Hills recently, a group of journalists found that the weekly markets in Saw Kilo, Sohkymphor and Jarain villages, which were earlier flooded by people during the market days were almost void of people.
Shop owners term the lack of purchasing power of the people as the single most important factor responsible for the changed scenario.
“Thousands have become jobless; hence the poor turnout in the weekly markets,” said a shopkeeper.
A vegetable seller in Jarain Market, Phyrnai Synnah, said that in the past, she sold vegetables worth Rs. 800 to Rs. 1000 a day. But these days she is hardly selling Rs. 100 worth of vegetables.
“I am facing a huge loss as most of the vegetables have to be dumped,” Synnah said adding that being a single mother, it has become extremely difficult to take care of her children.
A fruit seller, Dari Surong, also said that there is no business at all. “In the past, I used to sell litchis at the rate of Rs. 120 per kg. But now I am forced to sell it at a throwaway price of Rs. 70 per kg,” she said.
According to her, the NGT ban has not only affected the coal labourers and their families but also thousands of families indirectly dependent on coal mining activities.
A tea stall owner at Sohkymphor market, Riyo Lyngdoh, said that she used to cook and sell at least 40 kg of rice during the market days.
“But now I am unable to sell even 10 kg. If the trend continues, I will have to close down my shop,” Lyngdoh said.
According to Phailyn Dkhar, a Sordar (labour contractor) in Kongong village in East Jaintia Hills, the ban which came out of the blue has caused the common man untold miseries.
“Lakhs of labourers toiled hard the whole day to buy food for their families. How will they feed their children now?” he sought to know from the “powerful NGT.”
Another Sordar, P. Lwait said, “If this continues people here may even be compelled to steal or do anything to feed themselves.”
The women too have been at the receiving end of the NGT ban and the otherwise chirpy voices have now turned to quite murmurs of worry and dismay.
A huge chunk of the womenfolk in Jaintia Hills earned their livelihood by separating slate from coal in the coal depots earning Rs. 500 a day on an average which enabled them to clothe, feed and educate their children over the years. Some also sent their children to schools outside the region or in other parts of the country and even abroad with their income from the coal depots.
“Now the days are near when we and our families will die of starvation and disease,” said Diamond Syrti from Moopala village.
She adds, “Our land is not fertile and agriculture is not feasible here, besides we do not know any other work except this so what does the future holds for us except misery and pain.”
With all activity coming to a grinding halt, even trade and commerce has been grossly affected in these areas. Shops remain closed for most part of the day. Tea stalls, roadside eateries and similar establishments catering to the needs of thousands of people engaged in the booming coal trade have all closed down owing to the lack of patrons.
Owner of a popular food stall, Proslinda Kharsati, said she used to cook 50 kg of rice daily and up to four cows were slaughtered in a week.
“Now even 15 kg is not used and a single cow is enough to last the whole week,” she rued, adding, “At this rate I may have to relieve some of my helpers as I cannot afford to pay them any longer.”
The mood in these otherwise bustling areas, is now only that of despair and anxiety.
According to a coal mine worker, S. Rymbai, the mine owners are not the worst affected as they have saved enough from the trade but the poor labourers have been left bankrupt.
“If this ban continues then I fear that people will have to resort to activities which will not be good for the State,” he warned.