Govt forms district panels to check illegal mining

SHILLONG/GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday said committees headed by respective deputy commissioners (DCs) have been set up in different districts to keep tabs on illegal mining activities and also that the state government was working with the Centre to resolve the mining issue in the state.
The state government initiated steps to curb illegal mining following the tragedy in an illegal rat-hole coal mine in Ksan of East Jaintia Hills district where 15 miners were trapped on December 13 last year triggering outrage over illegal mining.
The chief minister told reporters here that committees have been set up in different districts, especially in coal mining areas, and these are headed by the respective deputy commissioners, who have been asked to keep close watch on illegal mining.
He added the DCs will send regular reports to the state government and take punitive action if people are found to indulge in any kind of mining activities.
While the state government is making an attempt to monitor illegal mining, it is also confronted with the issue of striking a balance between ecology and economy.
According to him, the economy should not suffer while also ensuring that the environment is not affected due to rampant mining.
Talking to reporters later in the day in Guwahati, the chief minister said, “We want to ensure that jobs are protected. But at the same time, mining safety, site safety of miners and environment cannot be compromised.
Sangma was in Guwahati to launch the Assam unit of National People’s Party.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining in the state in April 2014 even as the BJP, an ally in the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, had prior to the state Assembly polls pledged to come up with a solution against the ban after coming to power.
Sangma had in September said that his government would focus on finding a solution in a bid to resume mining in the state.
“This (lifting ban on mining) is a complicated issue and we are getting support from the government of India. The state government is working in tandem with the Centre to try and work out a solution,” he said.