NGT ban on coal mining
JOWAI: The State Coordination Committee of Coal Mines Owners and Dealers’ forum arrived at New Delhi recently to submit a Memorandum to the NDA Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on the ban on coal mining in Meghalaya imposed months ago by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Leaders of the Coordination Committee comprising the Chairman, Sony L Khyriem, Secretary, M Kharkhongor, members – JC Diengngam, James Sohbar, K Marak, SR Marak and Chanbor Lamare is now in Delhi and hopefully the prepared memorandum will be submitted to the PM Office in a day or two.
The State Coordination Committee in its memo briefly stated the grievances of the people of Meghalaya arising out of the blanket ban of coal mining by the National Green Tribunal following a petition submitted by the All Dima-Hasao Students’ Union and the Dimasa District Committee against the Meghalaya Government on the alleged illegal rat hole mining practiced by the people traditionally since late 70s.
“We expressed our deep concern over the manner in which the age old occupation of coal mining by the tribal owners was suddenly ban and unanimously resolved to approach the good office of the Honourable Prime Minister of India for intervention and readdresses the plight and hardship of the people of the State of Meghalaya,” the memorandum stated.
The Jaintia Hills Coal Miners’ and Dealers’ Association, Balios Swer requested the people to bear with the Association so that the ban could be lifted by the honorable NGT.
