Kharshiing seeks CM’s help to amend Coal Mines Act

SHILLONG: Chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, John Kharshiing has written to the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma and the Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong with a request to amend the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act 1973.
Addressing reporters on Monday, he expressed concern on the errors and contradiction in “The Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016 including the Form A – Application for Mining Lease”. He said that it is contradicting with the customary land holding system in Meghalaya especially within the territorial jurisdiction of the Federation of Khasi States which is in violation of the terms of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement August 17, 1948, where the Government of India agreed not to make law over Land ownership.
He went on to add that the entrepreneurs were issued shutdown notices to the numerous stone quarry owners and stone crusher operators in Meghalaya due to the absence of a “Mining Lease” as per the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957.
Stating that the land holding system in the state is different, he said the indigenous people should not be misled into applying for a ‘Mining Lease’ in lieu of a ‘Mining Permit’ as the wrong use of vocabulary in an Act or Rule, if not carefully examined, will create further legal and constitutional complications on the interpretation of land ownership in Meghalaya.
“The vocabulary should be clearly defined so that the people are not misled,” he said.
Referring to the official resolution of the Meghalaya Assembly since 2015 which constitutionally sought the Presidential notification under Para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, he stated the Central government ignored the resolution of the Meghalaya Assembly.
In this connection, he said the matter should be addressed at the earliest by the state government. Kharshiing suggested an all party delegation to present the case before the president, prime minister and the speaker of the Parliament.