Exporters’ body seeks breather for limestone miners

SHILLONG: Thousands of people in the State have been adversely affected by the decision of the State Government to stop exporting of limestone to Bangladesh since September last year.
The State Government stopped export of limestone to Bangladesh in February after it was made mandatory for individual to get license for mining and export of limestone after the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016, became operational.
Addressing a press conference here in the city on Wednesday, president of the Meghalaya Minerals Exporters Chamber of Commerce (MMECO) Stodar Dkhar said families who were dependent on limestone mining for their livelihood have been adversely affected and are unable to meet their daily needs. He said many children had to drop out of school because their parents can no longer afford to fund their education.
Dkhar also rued that the limestone miners are facing problems in getting mining license since the Government has failed to lay down proper guidelines on the procedure for applying for the license.
“Personally, I have submitted the mining plan to the State Government for the mining license but the matter is still pending with the Mining and Geology Department,” he said.
Replying to a query, he said he had spent around Rs 5 lakh for preparing the plan.
Dkhar stated that it is impossible for small miners to continue mining limestone under the new guidelines because they will have to hire a mining engineer at a salary of Rs 1 lakh a month, besides spending huge amount on the mining plan.
Meanwhile, he said the traditional mining practices which were followed since time immemorial are more environment friendly than the mining which is being carried out by big companies like Lafarge Umiam Private Limited (LUMPL), which is operating in Nongtrai village and Komora Limestone Ltd Company, which is located in Majai under Sohbar Elaka.
“We urge the State Government to issue challans for exporting the extracted limestone. This will provide temporary relief to the people of the areas,” he added.
Most of the people who have been affected by the decision are from Mawlong-Ichamati, Shella and Bholaganj in East Khasi Hills and Bakli in South West Khasi Hills.