Coal traders’ body wants SC to stay NGT ban

By Ronald Stone Syiem
NONGSTOIN: The Hima Nongstoin Land Owner Coal Trader and Producers’ Association has appealed before the Supreme Court to stay the National Green Tribunal’s blanket ban on mining and transportation of coal.
The association filed the civil appeal against All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU), Dima Hasao District Committee, the State government and others as Performa respondents. It said in its appeal that the existing land tenure is under private owners and the prevailing customary system of the Khasi and Garo communities needs to be taken into consideration since it was there since time immemorial.  The Hima Nongstoin body has asked the apex court to stay the NGT orders of December 23, 2015 and March 30 and May 10 this year so that mining and transportation of coal and other minerals may be restored.
While acknowledging that protection of environment was necessary, the Association said the economy of the people here was affected by the ban and it was equally important to focus on that.
The NGT’s ban on mining has affected local economy as well as the State government’s revenue flow, they argued.
The Supreme Court had, on August 29, directed the respondents to file a counter affidavit on or before September 8 and the case was fixed again for hearing on September 21.