Limestone export rules to be simplified

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has assured the House that the government will explore ways to simplify export rules for limestone.
During the question hour on Monday, Leader of Opposition Donkupar Roy said a large number of people in the mine belt suffered for the last four to five months after the restriction imposed on limestone export. According to him, many people are not aware of the acts and rules.
The chief minister agreed to this and said it is a fact that many miners do not know about the rules.
Roy also wanted to know whether the government adopted any measures to export the available stock. Sangma replied that there was no restriction on doing that.
To a supplementary question by HSPDP’s Ardent Basaiawmoit, the chief minister said the High Court of Meghalaya had initially referred to the Central Environment Committee for clearing the schemes related to export of minor minerals, including limestone.
But after a review petition was filed, the High Court allowed the formation of a State-Level Environment Impact Assessment Committee. “We also have district-level committees to deal with the matter,” Sangma said.
The government has already notified the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016, for granting mining lease and quarry permit for limestone and other minor minerals, he added.