By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Despite threats to the environment and health hazards for the miners, the Meghalaya Mines and Mineral Policy has not prohibited rat-hole mining prevalent in the State.
Speaking to media persons after the approval of the Policy, Deputy Chief Minister BM Lanong said even the Central Government has not interfered with the prevalent rat-hole mining system in the State.
Lanong stated that the old practice of mining will not be interfered as long as the miners do not adopt mechanized system of mining or open cast mining.
“If we do anything to do away with the rat hole mining, then there will be war with the stakeholders,” Lanong said.
Stating that it would not be prudent to allow just open cast mining in the State, Lanong said open cast mining would be difficult to adopt in a hilly terrain like Meghalaya.
“We shouldn’t forget that the land in Meghalaya belongs to the people,” he said citing the unique status the State enjoys, granted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Lanong said it was the best Policy that the State Government could adopt at this present juncture, taking into consideration the interest of the stakeholders and environmentalists.
