SHILLONG: The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya has blamed the Centre for the delay in solving the matter related to coal mining in the State.
The traditional body also said that the proposal of the Government to temporarily provide relief for continuing coal mining by a lease through the Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation (MMDC), undermines the customary rights of the people.
In a statement, the chairman of Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, John Kharshiing said that the rights of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people will be violated by such a move.
Kharshiing said that it is not logical for Khasi, Jaintia and Garo land owners to apply for lease over their own land from the MMDC.
Stating that the indigenous people must deliberate on the constitutional anomaly arising out of lack of interest by the present BJP-led NDA government to restore genuine rights, Kharshiing said a glaring anomaly has occurred due to the Coal Mines Nationalisation Act 1973. The Act nationalized all the coal mines since 1973.
“The people have been working as per their traditional practice until the intervention of the National Green Tribunal which we understand has directed stakeholders including the State Government to implement the Central laws,” he said.
According to Kharshiing, the regulations that have been legislated by Parliament are in constant conflict with the customary and traditional rights of the ‘Khasi States’.
He pointed out that it was in this context that the Assembly passed an official resolution to exempt Meghalaya from the Coal Mines Nationalisation Act 1973, and the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development ) Act 1957, as per para 12A (b) of the Sixth Schedule.
Besides, the Chief Minister also wrote to former Prime Minister Manmohon Singh, and subsequently to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which resulted in the PM constituting a Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary to examine the matter.
He, however, said that even after three years, the matter is yet to be resolved as bureaucrats at the Centre have little understanding of rights of indigenous people.
Kharshiing wanted to know whether the BJP Government at the Centre can continue to ignore a unanimous official resolution of the Meghalaya Assembly.
He also urged all the MDCs in the KHADC and the MLAs in the Meghalaya Assembly to pass an official resolution for fulfillment and inclusion of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement signed and accepted by the Centre on August 17, 1948, so as to ensure permanent protection of rights of indigenous people within the Constitution of India.
