‘Stringent rules’ trouble miners in State
SHILLONG: Bangladesh might start importing limestone from other countries instead of Meghalaya as exporters here are finding it difficult to meet the demand in the neighbouring country due to the imposition of various rules by the State Government.
The Meghalaya Mineral Exporters Chamber of Commerce has expressed concern that if Bangladesh stops importing limestone, then the local economy would be affected.
Stodar Dkhar, president of the Association, said Bangladeshi importers have intimated a few exporters in India that if sufficient amount of limestone from Meghalaya is not forthcoming, then the Government of Bangladesh has a proposal to import the minerals from other South East Asian countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Java and Sumatra, among others.
“If such proposal of the Government of Bangladesh becomes a reality, the entire border area whose main occupation is limestone quarrying and mining will greatly suffer as their limestone products do not have markets in this region,” he added.
The erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), during the British regime, got limestone minerals from the United Khasi Jaintia Hills District, then in Assam.
Dkhar said rural indigenous people in the border areas have been earning their livelihood from limestone export for decades but present system of rules and regulations for mining and transportation of limestone “have landed the working class in these areas in difficulty”.
“Because of the rules and regulations imposed by the state government authorities, there was a reduction of production as small-time operators do not have the money to fulfil those terms and conditions required by the government,” the mine owners said.
While the High Court order allowing the traditional way of extracting limestone was beneficial for local miners, the State Government’s stringent rules are affecting production, which has dropped, and leading to a decrease in the number of mines and quarries, said Dkhar.
