By K L Tariang
Much has been reported about the relentless fight of our political leaders against the NGT ban. Being responsible leaders as they are, it is natural that they would do so, since according to their assessment, the ban has deprived many people of their livelihoods . They are more boost up by the publicity that a child was sold off because of the deprivation resulting from the ban on coal mining. It is unfortunate and sad that our people have to face such a predicament but I wish that the Government assesses the magnitude of the whole situation through a survey done independently to get a factual report . Not that we doubt the assessment of our political leaders but the facts help to arrive at an appropriate approach to the problem . Meanwhile, the fight has been taken to parliament buttressed with the child sale publicity. With such enthusiasm, there is every possibility that the powerful voices of these leaders will drown the voices of the environmentalists who as of now are solely pinning their hope on the Tribunal to continue to champion their cause.
While the environment is getting a temporary reprieve because of the NGT ban, I for one feel that the ban has wide ranging benefits .For instance, many of the public roads which are in an extremely deplorable condition because of the constant bombardment by coal laden trucks for so long can now be repaired during the respite and all for the benefit of the much harassed commuters. The government must have collected sufficient revenue down the years from coal mining for spending in repairing these roads and it would be hard to digest if it admits that the state is starved of funds now. Again, the traffic jams usually caused by thousands of coal laden trucks are almost negligible now much to the relief of commuters. I hope that our political leaders realize that most of these commuters are also their constituents and need to be given a special thought too.
The ban has dislodged many illegal immigrants from the coal mining areas for which our NGOs who vociferously agitate against influx, should be delighted. Strangely we are not sure of their stand on the ban till now but their open support to the ban would save us the ordinary citizens from having to directly bear the brunt of their further agitations on the influx issue. It will be a huge relief to the many constituents of our political leaders ..
History tells us that one of the means to compel the enemy to capitulate is to starve them, As such, the NGT ban can deprive our pseudo freedom fighters of their much needed sustenance which many suspect also comes out of coal mining and its ancillary activities. This would bring the much needed peace which many constituents in the state have been longing for. There are many other silver linings which can come out of the NGT ban and these would far exceed the benefits that come out of coal mining which as of now is for the few at the expenses of many. Who knows, without us realizing it, the NGT ban must have stifled the much expected political toppling game which often happened in the past.
I am not against mining of coal or any other mineral. As of now I feel that the state is not ready for large scale mining as we do not have the proper roads and other related infrastructure; necessary regulations in place; the measures to protect our land and water resources and most importantly when many are still insensitive to the rights of others while brazenly harping on traditional rights. Therefore before striving to get coal mining back on the rails our leaders may perhaps strive for these basic needs first and in the meantime also educate many coal mine owners on the need for social conscientiousness. The welfare of those who lost their well established livelihoods because of coal mining and those elsewhere who suffer because of its resultant effects also need to be attended to. After all , these people are also the constituents of our political leaders .
In the meantime our leaders may perhaps divert their concentration from the fight and explore immediate alternatives for our people who are genuinely affected by the NGT ban. There are many existing government programs for providing relief as well as for promoting sustainable livelihoods. In fact the Chief Minister who is so enthusiastic about these livelihoods programme should perhaps explore the opportunity for initiating these programs here quickly instead of seemingly waiting for the outcome of the fight. After all it is in his wisdom that we hope for a balanced growth with environment guardianship .