By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 20: As many as 32 applicants have submitted applications for the grant of prospecting licences for scientific coal mining in Meghalaya.
Sources said the applications were filed as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the government on March 5, 2021. Of these, 17 applicants have received approval from the central government. “The 17 applicants are now in the exploration stage to generate Geological Reports before obtaining mining leases,” sources said.
It was further informed that four of the 17 approved applicants, after submitting their Geological Reports, have already received prior approval from the central government for the grant of mining leases in the state.
At present, presentations of the Mining Plans have been completed, and approval for the same is awaited.
Meanwhile, 15 applications are still awaiting prior approval from the central government for prospecting licences.
Legalised coal mining in Meghalaya began earlier this year, nearly a decade after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining in the state in 2014. The state’s first scientific coal mine was inaugurated at Saryngkham-A, Byndihati, East Jaintia Hills.
Although rat-hole mining remained suspended for over 10 years, instances of illegal coal mining and transportation were widespread, with hundreds of cases reported. There were also several instances where labourers lost their lives while working in illegal coal mines.
