By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 3: The United Democratic Party (UDP), a key ally in the NPP-led MDA government, is all set to register a complaint with the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change opposing the Ministry’s recent office memorandum on uranium mining.
The party also urged the Meghalaya government to take a strong stand against the Centre’s memo.
The Ministry on September 8 issued an Office Memorandum excluding mining of atomic minerals, including uranium, as well as critical and strategic minerals under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act from public hearings.
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said the directive weakens the right of citizens to voice their concerns through public hearings, particularly in matters relating to uranium mining.
He indicated that the party would soon place its objections before the Union ministry, stressing that the provision must be withdrawn.
Chyne cautioned that if the memorandum is implemented, it could endanger the health and environment of people in affected areas, to the extent that farming and settlement might no longer be viable.
The party has further called upon the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to exercise its authority and ensure that no uranium mining activity is carried out within its jurisdiction without prior permission from the council.
The office memorandum has raised eyebrows in uranium-rich Meghalaya, where past attempts to extract the mineral have repeatedly run into local resistance.
Meghalaya is home to one of the country’s largest uranium reserves, particularly in Domiasiat, Wahkaji, and the adjoining areas of West Khasi Hills.
