SHILLONG: The restriction on export of limestone and coal from Meghalaya has not only affected the people of the State but also Bangladesh, which is now getting the same raw materials from foreign countries at a cheaper rate.
It was following the High Court order that the Government imposed restriction on export of limestone. There was no relief for the last three years after the NGT ban on coal mining in 2014.
The stand of the State Government is that the Meghalaya exporters should apply for mining lease and licence to carry out mining and export of limestone.
Various Bangladesh importers’ associations, which met Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and the Meghalaya exporters here on Saturday, told reporters that the situation is alarming as it has affected the livelihood of people both in Meghalaya and Bangladesh.
“Hundreds and thousands of people in Bangladesh who were working at stone crushing mills were rendered jobless. More people were also affected as we depend on limestone from Meghalaya to run over hundreds of cement factories and also for construction of roads, bridges and buildings,” said Ahtasamul Haque Chowdhury, Director, Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
According to Chowdhury, though the chief minister had assured the delegation almost a year ago to find a way out to export limestone, there was no follow-up action.
Echoing the same views, Ahmed Salim, president of Chhatak Limestone Importers’ Association, said the delegation is unhappy over the delay in finding a solution to the export of minerals to Bangladesh.
Sunamganj Chamber of Commerce and Industries was also affected by the ban on import of limestone and coal.
The delegation said with limestone from Meghalaya not reaching Bangladesh, businessmen there have already started shipping the same from Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Oman, among other countries.
According to the delegation, the cost is lower compared to Meghalaya but the material is brought in bulk in ships.
“Though only a few businessmen can hire a ship to import limestone, slowly Meghalaya will lose its market,” Chowdhury said adding that coal is also being imported from foreign countries.
“The quality of coal imported from these countries is better than Meghalaya coal and still cheaper and in the long run, coal from Meghalaya will lose its value,” he added.
During the meeting with the chief minister, the importers’ body offered to invest in major minefields in the State to get limestone but the Government is yet to decide on the matter.
Commenting on the chief minister’s stand that Meghalaya will explore the avenue for supply of power to Bangladesh and tourism prospects, the Bangladesh delegation told the media that what they immediately require is stones and not power or tourists.
MMDC route stressed
Earlier, talking to reporters, the chief minister said the Government is already working on a format as far as export of limestone is concerned and the Meghalaya Minerals Development Corporation (MMDC) has been designated as a Government agency to work on the matter with mine owners.
According to the chief minister, the mine owners can enter into an agreement with MMDC and the corporation will take the responsibility of taking all the clearances, including mining lease and further procedures for mining.
“When MMDC focuses on mining activities, the corporation should also appoint mine developers in a transparent manner for development of mines and extraction of the minerals in conformity with all the statutory laws and they will be paid like any other contractors,” the chief minister said.
Power sale, tourism, health prospects
The chief minister said that he also discussed the need to export power and encourage tourism with the business delegation from Bangladesh.
Sangma said the business meeting focused on four agendas which included power, mining, tourism and health.
This meeting, according to the chief minister was a follow up of the discussions held earlier.
As far as power is concerned, the chief minister said, “The northern part of Bangladesh has power deficit and we have to look at the possibility of Bangladesh purchasing power from Meghalaya through Sohra exit and western exit through 132 KV Line and subsequently we can scale up the line to 300 or 400 KV. But we need to create infrastructure,” he said.
Stating that even now Meghalaya is selling power, the chief minister said that this is possible since 24×7 demand of power is never uniform.
“There are certain times when power is available for sale and we will also utilise the power project in Arunachal Pradesh which is about to be commissioned very soon as excess power from this project can be sold to Bangladesh through Meghalaya border,” he said.
The chief minister also said Meghalaya can bank on health tourism looking at the number of Bangladeshi patients going outside for treatment.
