Groups back Conrad’s move on mining, stress JHADC role and early resumption

SHILLONG, July 12: Two organisations on Sunday welcomed Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s intervention with the Centre on the issue of coal mining, backing his push for delegation of powers under Section 26 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to facilitate the resumption of scientific coal mining in Meghalaya, while emphasising the need to protect constitutional safeguards and expedite the process.
The Jaintia Students Movement (JSM) has welcomed the chief minister’s demand to the Centre for delegation of powers under Section 26 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 to regulate coal mining in the Scheduled Areas of Meghalaya, but insisted that the move must not undermine the constitutional powers of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).
JSM president Dapmain Shylla, in a statement, said the delegation of powers under Section 26 is the most practical solution at present to revive regulated coal mining, while protecting the livelihood of thousands of families dependent on the sector in Jaintia Hills.
He, however, maintained that any powers delegated by the Centre should not dilute the authority of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Shylla said that once powers are delegated, the state government should draft the proposed legislation in consultation with the JHADC. He added that the draft law should subsequently be passed by the Meghalaya Assembly and receive the Governor’s assent to give it full legal effect.
According to him, such a collaborative approach between the state government and the JHADC will ensure that the legislation addresses the state’s developmental needs while safeguarding the traditional rights, customs and land ownership of the tribal people as guaranteed under the Sixth Schedule.
While the JSM backed the chief minister’s demand, it opposed any move to bypass the JHADC in framing laws applicable to the Scheduled Areas, asserting that such legislation should be drafted jointly by the state government and the council.
The student body emphasised that the new legislation should provide for sustainable mining practices, adequate environmental safeguards and protection of the rights of landowners and workers.
Shylla urged the state government to treat the JHADC as an equal partner in the process, saying that only such an approach would result in a law acceptable to the people of Jaintia Hills.
Meanwhile, the State Co-ordination Committee of Coal Owners, Miners, Exporters & Dealers’ Forum, while expressing gratitude to the chief minister for his intervention on the issue of coal mining, said his efforts have opened a new avenue for the resumption of scientific coal mining in Meghalaya.
In a statement issued, Forum chairman Sonny L. Khyriem said the organisation had met Conrad on June 22 and submitted a detailed memorandum along with a presentation outlining proposals for restarting small-scale underground scientific coal mining in the state.
Khyriem said the chief minister acted promptly on the matter and subsequently raised the issue during his recent meeting with the Union Minister of Coal and Mines in New Delhi.
According to the Forum, the union minister assured that a joint committee comprising representatives of the Centre and the State Government would be constituted to examine the way forward for resuming coal mining in Meghalaya.
Describing the development as a significant breakthrough, Khyriem said Conrad’s intervention had “paved a new path” towards restarting coal mining and expressed hope that the process would be expedited.
He said the Forum was optimistic that the efforts would soon translate into concrete action, bringing much-needed relief and renewed hope to thousands of coal owners, miners and workers who have been affected by the prolonged coal mining impasse.
The Forum also acknowledged the support extended by Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, as well as legislators Kyrmen Shylla, Gabriel Wahlang, Santa Mary Shylla and Pius Marwein. It further thanked former legislators Gigur Myrthong, Shitlang Pale and Justin Dkhar for their continued support to the cause of coal miners.