State to convince Centre to lift coal ban

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday informed that the state government will pass an official resolution to explore the possibility of lifting the ban on coal mining.
Replying to the Governor’s Address in the Assembly, Sangma said that concerns were being raised on the environment and pollution of rivers, mining safety and child labour, all of which have come since the ban was imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The coal ban has caused significant economic loss to the state and the reduction in the cash flow to the state coffers has affected the allied sectors in the state.
“The state government will pass an official resolution to seek exemption from the provision of the Central law (Coal Mines (Nationalisation Act, 1973) and to kindly invoke Para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution,” the chief minister said.
The chief minister added that a balance has to be maintained for safe and secure mining with minimum damage to the environment and at the same time ensuring economic prosperity of the state.