Cong MDC urges Council to pass resolution in support of coal miners

SHILLONG: Senior Congress MDC from Langrin, Manstudy Nongrem has urged the Council to pass a resolution in support of the coal mine owners, miners and labourers who are filing a joint petition before the Supreme Court to challenge the NGT ban on coal mining in the State.
While participating in the discussion on the cut motion during the fourth day of the Council’s budget session here on Thursday, Nongrem said that the passing of the resolution by the Council will strengthen the petition to be filed before the apex court.
He further informed that the joint meeting of coal owners, miners and labourers had also decided to appeal all the three Autonomous District Council (ADCs) to pass a resolution in their favour to help strengthen their petition against the ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal.
In reply, KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum said that the Executive Committee (EC) will look into the matter.
“The ban will be lifted once the State Government puts in place a proper mechanism to regulate mining activities in the State,” the KHADC CEM said adding that the Council is not responsible for the ban which is a result of the failure on the part of the State Government to come up with a full proof Mining Policy.
The reply, however, did not go down well with Langrin who termed the CEM’s remark irresponsible and called for immediate bailing out of the affected people.