LS rejects Pala’s motion on coal law

NEW DELHI:  In the aftermath of NGP ban on coal mining in Meghalaya, Shillong Lok Sabha member Vincent H Pala’s initiative to exempt Meghalaya from the purview of Central coal laws has not gone well with the ruling coalition at the Centre.Pala on Wednesday tabled an amendment motion to coal mines (Special Provision) Bill, 2015 which was defeated in Lok sabha.
“There is an urgent need for invoking powers of the President under Para 12A(b) of the Sixth Schedule to exempt the scheduled areas of Meghalaya from the application of Acts of Parliament concerning mining, coal, other mineral resources, environmental and tourism so that the tribal cultures, customs, way of life and cultural, social and economic freedoms remain unaffected, ” Pala’s amendments had said.
Earlier, as many as 21 amendment motions moved by Pala to secure Meghalaya’s mining interests were rejected on the floor of the House.