By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 9: The Meghalaya government on Tuesday reiterated that it has acted on every instance of illegal mining brought to its notice, with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stressing that enforcement has been ongoing even as the state transitions from traditional rat-hole mining to scientific methods.
Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting here, the Chief Minister said he had repeatedly explained the historical context behind mining in Meghalaya.
He stated that mining practices such as rat-hole or tunnel mining had been carried out for around 200 years and had involved lakhs of families.
According to him, the sudden shift in 2014 that categorised long-accepted practices as illegal had caused a major shock to miners whose livelihoods depended on it. He added that the change was not easy for people who had been dependent on the activity for generations, including other businesses tied to the sector.
Sangma said the government machinery, including police and legal authorities, along with the judiciary, had been working to implement the mandate arising from that shift, though the process had been complicated due to the state’s mining history.
He maintained that the government had taken action whenever credible information on illegal mining was received. He stated that thousands of cases had been filed, thousands of charge sheets submitted, fines imposed and several mines shut down. According to him, the government would continue taking action based on information received.
He stressed that while legal and administrative aspects were important, the livelihood and social dimensions could not be ignored. He stated that expecting people to abruptly abandon a centuries-old livelihood was unrealistic and that sustainable alternatives had to be developed. He said scientific mining was the alternative pathway and that the state was currently in a transition phase.
Sangma explained that this transition required time, as people had to invest, adapt, complete procedures and obtain clearances from the Coal Ministry, CMPDI, and the state government.
The Chief Minister said that while the shift to scientific and safer mining practices continued, certain incidents or cases were likely to arise, but the government would act on them as per law. He added that the broader objective was to eventually achieve a safer system for miners and the environment.
The Chief Minister’s assertion comes just days after the Meghalaya BJP had demanded an Enforcement Directorate probe into what it alleged was rampant illegal coal trade in the state.
State BJP vice-president and Tura MDC Bernard Marak, who leads the BJP committee on illegal coal mining and transportation, had said the committee had submitted its first inquiry report to the Centre and was preparing a more detailed second report.
He stated that the committee’s initial inquiry in Garo Hills had uncovered allegations that police personnel receive Rs 4,000 per truck, deputy commissioners receive Rs 1,000 per truck and certain MLAs receive Rs 2,800 per truck to allow illegal coal transportation.
