SHILLONG, June 23: The Meghalaya government has decided to approach the Centre for relaxation in scientific coal mining norms to enable resumption of operations in the state, addressing the prolonged impact of the rat-hole mining ban on local livelihoods.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said a fruitful meeting was recently held with the Coal Traders Association and coordination committees from Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills. The government listened attentively to their suggestions and accepted key proposals.
Dhar highlighted that the existing scientific mining framework is not feasible for Meghalaya, as it mandates large land parcels of over 100 hectares, while most local miners operate on small plots. The state will urge the Centre to reduce the minimum mining area to around 5-6 hectares and, if possible, allow state-level licensing for small-scale operators.
He added that the current model, largely based on open-cast mining, does not suit the state’s terrain and geological conditions. The government plans to study successful systems from other states and explore alternative, legally compliant formulas tailored to Meghalaya.
The Deputy Chief Minister further revealed that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has already contacted the Union Coal Ministry to secure an appointment for detailed discussions.
Stressing the urgency, Dhar noted that the prolonged ban has severely affected thousands of families dependent on coal mining. The government remains committed to balancing livelihoods, safety, and environmental concerns through collaborative efforts with all stakeholders and the Centre.
The latest development comes a day after a delegation from the State Co-Ordination Committee of Coal Owners, Miners, Exporters, Transporters and Dealers Forum (including Garo Hills members) met the Chief Minister and submitted a detailed memorandum proposing a Special Legal Framework for small-scale scientific underground coal mining suited to local conditions.
The Chief Minister welcomed the proposal and assured the delegation that the state is actively exploring ways to facilitate legal mining. Forum members thanked the government for the 2025 resumption but stressed the need for reforms to better match Meghalaya’s realities.
