KHADC says no NOC for uranium mining

SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has asserted that it will not issue no objection certificate (NOC) for uranium mining in the State.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Friday, KHADC chief executive P.N Syiem said the Council in the last session had committed that NOC would not be issued for uranium mining and it would not change its decision. The statement came from the KHADC chief after reports said on Wednesday the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) under the Prime Minister’s Office came up with the idea to develop large deposits of uranium in Meghalaya that have the potential to generate substantial nuclear fuel for atomic power plants in the country.
Syiem said the issue should be discussed with all stakeholders, including locals, NGOs and traditional chiefs.
The State Government has already made it clear that uranium mining would not take place until a common understanding is reached between all stakeholders.
In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha recently, Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the PMO, had said it has already planned to develop the mineral resources at Domiasiat under the name of ‘Kylleng-Pdengsohiong-Mawthabah (KPM) Uranium Mining Project’.
The Centre’s plans to go for extraction of mining in Meghalaya have been vehemently opposed by the NGOs in the State.