SHILLONG: Its has been more than four years since the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a blanket ban on coal mining in Meghalaya and till now there is no way forward as to how long the ban on coal mining would continue?
Speaking on the matter, Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma said that mining plans and policies were submitted by the State Government on the issue and after submission of the plan, there were certain queries about certain issue.
He said that once the queries came, the Government even engaged an expert central Government agencies and replied to the queries which were not replied for long time back
Stating that the coal mining is multi-layered issued and it was not about getting mere exemption from certain provisions of MMDR act, the Chief Minister added that there were issues with mining safety and issued related to environment
He said that things would start moving once they get a clear picture how to move forward on the structure of getting exemption from the MMDT act and its provisions and it would be made possible for people to continue with the mining but it also depended on if the Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS) accepts the proposals of the government as far as safety is concern
“ There is no question of mining if the DGMS does not accept the mining plan and approve the safety measures,” he said while adding that the Government wants to ensure the livelihood of the people but the norms as far as safety of mines and protection of environment must be followed.