NGT ban
SHILLONG: The Prime Minister’s Office has constituted a six-member committee to work out an amicable solution to the issue of coal mining in the state that was banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in April.
The committee, to be headed by Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, has Home Secretary, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Law Secretary and Meghalaya Chief Secretary as members.
The committee will have its first meeting on September 15 in New Delhi.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, Principal Secretary Mining & Geology Department Yeshi Tsering said that a follow-up to this development the Chief Secretary held a meeting with all the concerned officers on Thursday.
He said that State Government had been trying to deal with a view to facilitate systemic, scientific and planned utilization of mineral resources and accordingly the Government had notified the Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy, 2012.
The State has taken up the matter with Government of India on the issue at the highest level and the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had written a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this connection.
It may be mentioned that the National Green Tribunal has recently put on hold al coal mining activities pending operationalising of a scheme to meet statutory requirement of environment protection and safety.
The Chief Minister has directed the Secretary, Law Department, to engage renowned Constitutional Lawyer to advise the Government in the matter.
