HC permits state govt to resume export of limestone

SHILLONG, Aug 18: The High Court of Meghalaya on Thursday allowed transportation of limestone, irrespective of major or minor minerals, outside the state and the country.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said the High Court’s order follows an affidavit submitted by the state government through Advocate General Amit Kumar.
According to Tynsong, the High Court order means that the state government can now issue challans to exporters for export of limestone.
Recalling that the High Court, in its order dated June 23, had disallowed transport of limestone to Bangladesh, Tynsong said the state government had taken up the court order with the Ministry of Coal and Mines and the Ministry of Commerce.
The replies from the ministries including the Director General of Foreign Trade clarified that limestone is included in the list of export items, irrespective of it being a major or minor mineral.