‘Govt yet to prepare sketch for State Mining Plan’
JOWAI: The State Coordination Committee of Coal Miners and Dealers Forum (SCCoCM&DF) will decide on its future course of action only after the NGT hearing on August 1.
In a public meeting held Teilang Phawa Football ground, Dkhiah West on Monday, chairman of the forum Sony Khyriem said that if the August 1 ruling is not in the favour of the miners, the committee will sit and decide on the next move. The NGT has banned coal mining in the State.
The meeting which was chaired by Nongkhlieh MDC, RS Lyngdoh was attended by legislators Rophul S Marak, KP Pangniang, Witting Mawsor, Justine Dkhar, Robinus Syngkon, Hopeful Bamon besides leaders of Coal Miners and Dealers Association from Garo Hills, South-West Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills.
Advocate ODV Ladia who briefed the meeting about the progress of the case informed that within this week, the NGT will issue necessary orders for transportation of coal that has already been extracted.
“We cannot wait till August 1, we had appealed to
(Contd in P-10)
Miners’ body
(Contd from P-3) the NGT to allow us carry out the transportation of coal and the NGT will consider our petition on Wednesday,” Ladia informed.
The advocate also claimed that the state government has not even prepared a sketch for the State Mining Plan (SMP) as per the directive of the NGT.
“If the government keeps on delaying the State Mining Plan, I doubt if the NGT will lift the ban on coal mining,” Ladia added.
KHADC Chief, Ardent Basaiawmoit who was also present on the occasion said the NGT has not just affected the coal miners but also the revenue of the State Government and all three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
Informing that the NGT order to ban coal mining is an interim order to ensure a better environment, Ardent urged the people to spend 20 per cent of their profit from coal business towards the environment.
“Both environment and mineral resources are important, and if we are making one rupee profit, we should contribute 20 paise towards the environment”, the KHADC Chief added