SHILLONG, April 19: Rajya Sabha member and NPP state president, WR Kharlukhi on Tuesday called for reopening of coal trade in the state which has been prohibited since 2014.
“The NGT banned coal mining in 2014 and 8 years down the line, nothing has been done. A large number of people survive on this trade,” Kharlukhi said, adding that he will take up the matter in the Parliament to ensure that coal mining resumes in the state.
Admitting that pollution is a major concern as far as coal mining is concerned, Kharlukhi said the central government should come up with some policy to regulate coal mining in the state.
“There will be some pollution here but what about the pollution in Delhi where we are breathing toxic air and there are pollution related illnesses. If we look at it from the same angle, all industries in New Delhi should be banned,” he argued.
