SHILLONG: The Meghalaya State Co-ordination Committee of Coal Owners, Miners, Exporters, Transporters & Dealer’s Forum has welcomed the orientation and sensitisation programmes before starting legal coal mining.
In a statement, the Forum said it was in the forefront highlighting the plight of people after the prohibition imposed by the National Green Tribunal in 2014.
The state government conceded to comply with the order of the Supreme Court on July 3 2019, thereby initiating steps to facilitate systematic, safe and scientific mining and in this regard, the government notified meetings for coal miners to attend the proposed orientation and sensitisation programmes.
However, the Forum said coal mining areas like the South West Khasi Hills district and some parts in the East Khasi Hills districtare yet to be notified and hence the Forum asked the government to notify these areas too.
