SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Friday held a meeting here to simplify the minor minerals concession rules.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, he said that the Government wants to simplify the rules by amending those and the matter will be taken to the Cabinet for amendments as there are some issues.
When asked about the mine accident, he said that the Government was collecting information about it. He said that nothing can be said now as to how the incident happened and they would wait for the report from the District Administration.
Asked if illegal mining is going on in Jaintia Hills, he said that he cannot say anything on the matter until he gets all the reports.
Tynsong also informed that the next hearing pertaining to the ban on coal mining will be held on January 15 and the State as well as Central Government were preparing affidavits and other details to convince the Court that measures will be put in place and it can lift the ban on coal mining in the state.
MLA moves rights panel for compensation
As several of the coal miners trapped inside the coal mine in East Jaintia Hills hail from West Garo Hills, the local MLA of Rajabala, Dr Azad Zaman, has shot off a petition to the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission to initiate a suo moto case and take necessary measures to ensure that the families of the victims are provided with compensation.
He also shot off a petition to the Chief Secretary urging him to provide necessary compensation to the families of the victims.
He said that some coal miners continued to indulge in rat hole mining despite the ban by the National Green Tribunal.
Of the 13 miners trapped inside the mine, 6 are from West Garo Hills, mostly Rajabala, 4 from Assam and 3 from East Jaintia Hills.
Kyrmen blames ban for illegal coal mining
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister and local MLA from the coal-rich Khliehriat constituency, Kyrmen Shylla, has said that the people of the area would not have to indulge in stealing activities (illegal coal mining) if the National Green Tribunal (NGT) lifted the ban on coal mining at the earliest.
Talking to media persons here on Friday, Shylla said that the people in East Jaintia Hills district for decades have depended on coal mining for their livelihood and its sudden ban affected them since finding an alternative livelihood in such a short time is not easy.
“ I believe that if NGT can lift the ban, people would not have to indulge in illegal activities and they can do coal mining in a legal and proper way, but if we keep on banning coal mining, people would risk their lives for livelihood,” he added.
When asked about the allegations that illegal mining in East Jaintia Hills was taking place under the nose of the Government, he reiterated that the place where the incident took place is in a remote area.
“ We cannot police 24X7 in these remote areas for checking as there are thousands of coal mines,” he added.
