SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and his cabinet members met Coal Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi on Sunday to find a way to end the coal mining impasse in Meghalaya with a thrust on environmental issues.
In a statement issued by the CMO on Sunday, the chief minister put emphasis on maintaining a balance between environment and economic activities related to mining.
Sangma was accompanied by ministers Prestone Tynsong, Metbah Lyngdoh and Banteidor Lyngdoh. Officials from the Ministry of Coal were also present in the meeting.
The issue of NGT ban on coal mining in Meghalaya was discussed at length.
“Coal mining is important for the state and the region. It is important that a balance is struck considering the fragile environment. We discussed ways to initiate coal mining in the state,” Sangma was quoted as saying. The Union minister is said to have responded positively to the suggestions put forward by the chief minister and his Cabinet colleagues.
“The Union minister has assured finding an early solution to the problem,” the chief minister added.
The state delegation, however, did not meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi as it did not get an appointment. The National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole mining in 2014. However, it had asked the state to come up with a proposal for safe mining with special focus on environment.
