By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 10: The state government’s decision to change mining regulations came under criticism in the Assembly on Monday with Voice of the People Party MLA Heaving Stone Kharpran asking why traditional quarrying remains tangled in bureaucratic delays despite repeated calls for reform.
Kharpran drew the attention of the House to the difficulties being faced by people involved in mining and quarrying of stone and sand in the state. He asked the government if it has any plans to review the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016.
Responding to his concerns, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said stone mining and sand quarrying are strictly governed by the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016, framed under Section 15 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
He added that sand quarrying is further regulated by the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016, and the Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining, 2020, as prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change.
Acknowledging the struggles of small-time miners, the chief minister explained that the current rules impose specific requirements based on the size and depth of quarries or mines, with varying permits for operations below two hectares and five hectares.
He admitted that traditional miners, whose activities are often confined to their villages, face significant bureaucratic hurdles.
“Many MLAs from Nongstoin, Mawkynrew and other areas have approached us with these issues,” Sangma said, adding, “We realised that small miners practicing traditional methods are caught up in an arduous process designed for larger commercial operations.”
He informed the House that the state government constituted a committee on September 16 last year and it has already conducted two meetings. Headed by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, the committee comprises MLAs, officials from the mining, forest, and law departments, along with stakeholders like miners’ representatives.
Sangma disclosed that the committee recommended creating a Traditional Quarry Permit — a simplified system requiring minimal documentation.
“The committee has proposed that only a few permits should be mandatory – a Forest Permit and a No Objection Certificate from the village headman certifying that the land ownership or title claimed by the applicant is neither disputed nor under litigation,” he said.
Taking it a step further, the government is now seeking concurrence from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to waive the need for environmental clearance for small and traditional quarries.
“We are working to secure this under Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and EIA Rules, 2006 — specifically Appendix 9, Section 11 — which allows certain activities, declared as non-mining by state legislation, to be exempted from environmental clearance, provided the central ministry concurs,” he explained.
When Kharpran pressed for a timeline on resuming mining and quarrying, Sangma clarified that there was no official ban on mining activities in Meghalaya.
“There is no stoppage of mining or quarrying in the state,” he said, adding, “Anyone can apply for a mining licence or quarry permit. The problem lies not in permission but in the complicated process — the extensive paperwork required under the current Act. Small miners are struggling to meet these demands.”
The chief minister said after discussions with legal experts and the Advocate General, the state government is drafting new provisions to streamline the process, making it easier for traditional miners to apply and obtain permits through a simple format.
“Mining is ongoing, but miners must follow the legal process and secure the necessary permits,” he reiterated.
Kharpran also raised concerns about alternative livelihood options for those dependent on mining and quarrying. Sangma responded by saying that the government is simultaneously pushing for economic diversification, encouraging activities like agriculture, food processing, and tourism.
“Livelihood is at the heart of everything we do,” the chief minister said. “Shifting from mining to other occupations is a transition process, and we are working hard to ease this shift. Progress is visible, though it takes time,” he added.
Kharpran further pointed out that funds under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) were not being disbursed on time. Addressing this, Sangma said the DMF funds are overseen by a committee led by the Deputy Commissioner, with local MLAs as members.
“These funds are released regularly,” he said, adding, “If there are specific areas of concern regarding delays, I am open to addressing them.”