SHILLONG: In an effort to gain political mileage out of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban on coal mining, the BJP has promised to put back on track the contentious coal mining issue within 180 days of forming the next government in the state.
The party made this promise in its ‘Vision Document’ released by Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters, BJP Meghalaya-in-charge Nalin Kohli blamed the state government for the ban on coal mining.
“The state government has not addressed the issue. Despite the ban, it took the government three years to submit its mining policy, which shows lack of commitment on its part,” he alleged.
Kohli also criticised the Mukul government for coming up with the idea of the Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation (MMDC) to carry out coal mining on behalf of the miners towards the fag end of the government’s tenure.
“The Meghalaya government believes that coal mining could be legally carried out by the MMDC whereas mining was banned three years ago by the NGT,” he said.
Under provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act 1957, the MMDC is eligible to apply for mining leases under existing laws and with the consent of the people.
