Thousands will die of hunger, says PWD Minister Dhar
SHILLONG: PWD Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, a known coal baron of the State, has come out in support of the coal miners and exporters in Jaintia Hills to fight the ban imposed by the national green Tribunal (NGT) on rat hole mining in the State.
Dhar also informed that the Jaintia Hills Coal Miners’ and Dealers’ Association (JHCM&DA) has decided to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the ban.
“The ban imposed by the NGT will affect thousands of the people who are directly or indirectly dependent on coal mining activities. Many people who are totally dependent on coal mining would die of hunger,” Dhar, the sitting legislator from Nartiang, said on Sunday.
He argued that the ban will also add to the unemployment problem since a large number of people would be jobless if there is a blanket ban on rat hole mining in the State.
Informing that he, along with two other legislators – Justin Dkhar and Hopeful Bamon – had attended a meeting convened by JHCM&DA, Dhar said, “During the meeting we had a detailed deliberation on the possible long term impact of the ban.” The Nartiang legislator said that they would appeal the apex court to direct the NGT to suggest ways and means to introduce more scientific methods of mining instead of imposing a blanket ban.
“I am supporting the move of the Association since as a Minister and as a public representative I cannot sit still,” he said.
He asserted that he would take the legal course to fight for the people since he did not want the people of Jaintia Hills to encounter a situation akin to the problems faced by people in West Khasi Hills after the Supreme Court had imposed a ban on felling timber.
He also reminded that mining of coal has been an age old practice in the State and thousands of people earn their livelihood through this activity.
“I am really surprised that the NGT has imposed this ban without considering the adverse impact of such a ban,” the legislator added.