SC asks Centre to finalise M’laya mining policy

SHILLONG: The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to finalise the mineral policy and draft guidelines on coal mining in Meghalaya, which were submitted by the state government, within July 30.
State legal counsel Ranjan Mukherjee said on Monday the Apex Court had earlier asked the Government of Meghalaya to file mineral policy and draft guidelines and these were filed by the state government.
During the hearing on Monday, the additional solicitor general appeared before the court and said the Centre needs three more months to finalise it.
The next date for hearing is on July 30.
The ban on illegal coal mining imposed by the National Green Tribunal is in force in Meghalaya since April 17, 2014.
However, the tribunal has allowed transportation of extracted and assessed coal at regular intervals.
The ban was issued following a complaint by the All Dimasa Students’ Union of Dima Hasao district in Assam, which contended that rat-hole mining in Meghalaya had polluted the Kopili river and turned its water poisonous.