Sanbor asks govt to re-consider ban on small-scale mining

SHILLONG, Aug 27: South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai on Tuesday urged the Meghalaya government to reconsider the recent closure notice imposed on traditional small-scale mining activities, including the extraction of sand, boulders, and other minor minerals for local purposes. Shullai raised this issue during a zero-hour notice in the Assembly, highlighting the adverse impact of the closure on the livelihoods of locals, particularly in rural areas, where many are employed by traditional mining operations.
Shullai pointed out that the ban has also negatively affected commercial vehicle owners, who now face increased costs for the renewal of vehicle permits. In response, he suggested that the state government amend the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016, to provide a more streamlined process for granting permission for small-scale mining activities under a mining lease or quarry permit.
He proposed that quarry owners should be allowed to define small-scale mining for the purpose of using raw materials for quarrying. This, he argued, would save time and simplify the process for both small-scale mining operators and quarry owners, allowing them to operate under a single permission.
Shullai further suggested that the government could establish a committee to review and amend the existing rules, emphasising that the legislature has the power to frame new rules that would better serve the interests of the general public.
In response, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong explained that the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016, were notified by the state government in compliance with a judgment by the High Court of Meghalaya. The court had prohibited all mining activities unless specific conditions were met, necessitating the creation of these rules.