State likely to formulate mining policy within 6 weeks: Truckers’ body

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Operators Association (MCTOOA) president Augustine Shanpru said that the State Government is expected to come up with the mining plan and policy within a period of six weeks as per latest directive of the NGT.
“The tribunal in its order has directed the State Government to come up with a proper and eco-friendly mining plan and policy which is less damaging to the environment. The Government has been directed to complete the exercise within six weeks time,” Shanpru said while addressing newsmen here on Friday.
He informed that the association will also submit a separate representation to the State Government next week to expedite the exercise of formulation of the mining plan and policy.
Shanpru, however, felt that the case was unnecessarily dragged for nearly a year due to the failure on the part of the State Government to comply with the various directives of the NGT.
“The order passed by the NGT on March 26 has come as a blessing for the people of the State. Now it will all depend on State Government to come up with the policy,” he said.
According to Shanpru, it was the order of the apex court on February 26 last while hearing the petition of Lber Laloo which had instructed the tribunal to expedite the process of disposing the case on the ban on coal mining in the State at the earliest.
“We are thankful to the NGT for taking up the case on a daily basis. Within a span of two weeks, the tribunal has been able to pass a substantive order which addressed most of the grievances and allegations against coal mining in the State,” the MCTOOA president said.
Shanpru also felt feels that steps taken by the State Government to accelerate the process of formulating the policy will be a step towards easing the problem and miseries of the people dependent on coal mining for their livelihood.
He also termed the issue of coal mining in Meghalaya is a collective problem of almost 60 per cent of the population.
He further observed that if the ban continues, there is a great possibility of mass exodus of rural people to towns and even Shillong in search of jobs which in turn will disturb the employment balance in the State.