Framing of mining policy
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Operators Association along with others have urged the State Government to ensure that there is no interference with the rights of ownership of coal land in the State while framing the scientific mining plan and policy.
In a letter submitted to the Government, MCTOOA president, Augustine Shanpru and others said that coal mining was being carried out in Meghalaya right since the 19th century and even the British never interfered with the land ownership rights.
Interestingly, the stakeholders also urged the government to ensure that the current system of mining is not done away with in the mining policy as it is least damaging to the environment.
While admitting that the water bodies get polluted under the current system due to release of untreated mine water, the petition said that the problem can be greatly controlled by making the installation of mine water filtration and treatment plant mandatory in the mines.