By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 19: Rajya Sabha member from NPP, Dr WR Kharlukhi raised concerns in Parliament over the prolonged impact of the National Green Tribunal’s 2014 ban on coal mining in Meghalaya, stating that the restriction has severely affected livelihoods, district council revenues, and the state’s education sector.
Participating in the proceedings, Kharlukhi said the NGT had banned coal mining in the state in 2014 with directions that mining be carried out scientifically. He pointed out that coal mining catered to the livelihood needs of thousands of families in Meghalaya and that the ban had directly affected their ability to earn. He stated that the right to earn a livelihood is a fundamental right of every Indian citizen and argued that people in the state were deprived of this right due to the prolonged ban.
The MP further informed the House that the ban had significantly impacted the Autonomous District Councils, particularly the Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills District Councils, where coal was a major source of revenue. He said that for almost a year, staff of both councils were not paid their salaries due to the revenue shortfall.
Dr Kharlukhi also highlighted the loss of state revenue, noting that a cess collected from coal was earlier used to support the education sector. With coal mining halted, revenue from this cess dropped to zero, he said. According to him, this led to repeated protests by teachers, who took to the streets and staged overnight demonstrations after salaries remained unpaid for months.
While thanking the government for its decision to allow coal mining in a scientific manner, the MP urged the Centre to immediately initiate the process to resume mining activities in Meghalaya.
He also raised concerns over the recent rise in drug peddling in the state, referring to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. Dr Kharlukhi requested the government to take the issue seriously to ensure that Meghalaya does not become a corridor for drug trafficking in the region.
