By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 20: The Meghalaya Congress on Tuesday urged the central government to take cognisance of illegal coal mining activities in the state.
Talking to media persons, Congress leader Manuel Badwar alleged that the government is “in cahoots with this illegality” and “making merry by plundering the state’s revenue which should have gone to the public.”
The public is not getting the revenue. It is going to a few who are part and parcel of this mafia, he alleged.
His allegations come in the wake of another death linked to illegal rat-hole coal mining in which a labourer from Assam lost his life in East Jaintia Hills.
Badwar recalled a suspected blast in a coal mine in the same district last December that claimed at least one life. “They are not just extracting minerals but ensuring that the money flows only into their pockets,” he alleged.
Pointing out that several Union Ministers frequently visit Meghalaya, he said the Centre must take serious cognisance of the illegality and put effective measures in place to check it, rather than “beating around the bush.”
He further stated that the state is losing massive revenue due to illegal coal mining. According to him, Meghalaya’s revenue collection should have been much higher but it barely touches ₹4,000 crore. The government spends around ₹26,000–₹27,000 crore every year, largely dependent on Central grants, he said.
Accusing those in power of setting a bad precedent, Badwar said corruption is rampant and, in the process, democracy is becoming weaker. He alleged that during elections, those in power spend a small fraction of the money amassed illegally to buy votes.
He stressed the need to create awareness in rural areas on the ongoing illegal activities in the state and expressed confidence that people would give a befitting reply during upcoming elections.
State’s education system requires overhaul: Cong
The Congress welcomed the Meghalaya Cabinet’s decision to introduce Community Integrated Skill Learning as a structured curricular component for students from Classes VI to X, but said the move must be accompanied by a broader overhaul of the state’s education system.
Senior Congress leader Manuel Badwar said the decision to allow school dropouts to re-enter the education system and appear for matriculation examinations was a positive step, stressing that education should not be restricted by age.
“Education does not end with age. People must be given opportunities to overcome past hurdles,” he said, describing the initiative as constructive.
However, Badwar said the measure addresses only a fraction of the challenges facing the education sector, citing serious gaps in educational quality, teacher availability and training. “It is common knowledge that the state is extremely weak when it comes to education,” he said.
Calling for greater accountability, he urged the government to strengthen political engagement in education reforms. He also questioned the Education Department’s leadership, saying ministers must demonstrate greater competence and commitment.
Physical and Health Education is taught as a sixth subject for Classes VI to X, largely through textbook-based instruction. The Cabinet has decided to integrate Community Integrated Skill Learning into the subject, with 50% of the marks allocated to skill-based learning linked to students’ family or community backgrounds.
