From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, Feb 16: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has petitioned Union Minister of Mines G Kishan Reddy over alleged violations of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, by the Meghalaya government.
In a letter issued by general secretary Wanbun N Dkhar, the organisation challenged the legality of “incidental limestone approvals” granted to seven cement companies in Jaintia Hills. HITO asserted that the MMDR Act contains no provision allowing for incidental limestone approvals for industrial use.
Following a months-long investigation, the organization concluded that the surge in illegal limestone mining is a direct consequence of these approvals issued by the Mining and Geology department in recent years. HITO pointed out a significant discrepancy in official records: while only 35 mining leases have been granted in East Jaintia Hills and 18 in West Jaintia Hills, hundreds of mines are currently being operated by private individuals.
The organisation questioned who authorised these operations and how minerals are being transported without valid documentation. It further alleged that cement companies are fueling this unregulated mining by leveraging the “incidental approvals” obtained from the state government.
