State coal committee seeks CM’s intervention

SHILLONG: The state co-ordination committee of coal owners, miners and dealers forum on Thursday called on Chief Minister Conrad Sangma at his office and sought his intervention regarding the grievances and hardships of coal miners.
The committee presented Sangma with a memorandum reiterating the exemption of central mining laws from autonomous regions of the state under Para 12 (a), (b) of the Sixth Schedule of the constitution and sought his intervention on the finalisation of mining maps, policies and guidelines.
Sangma informed the forum that deliberations with the Ministry of Coal are currently in an advanced stage and the Union Coal Minister has been very positive with the representations and memorandums submitted by the state government.
He assured the delegation that mining of coal has been the priority of the government and all modalities with respect to the environment and the safety of miners are being thoroughly worked out. Sangma informed the forum that in the past three months, the government has engaged with the Ministry of Coal on several occasions and discussions are moving forward.
He said that the government is also concerned about the environment and economic activities which revolve around coal mining in Meghalaya.
The chief minister also assured the delegation that the government is trying to find ways to initiate environmental friendly mining.