CM urges Coal Minister to delegate mining approval powers to Meghalaya
SHILLONG, July 7: For over twelve years since the National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole coal mining in April 2014, thousands of families in Meghalaya’s coal-bearing regions — particularly in East Jaintia Hills — have endured severe economic hardship.
The ban, introduced to curb environmental damage and unsafe practices, stripped small tribal land and mineral holders of their primary livelihood, pushing many toward dangerous illegal mining while local economies stagnated and the state lost vital revenue from royalties, cess and taxes.
Now, after a dozen years of agony, persistent demands and agitations, these long-standing concerns appear set to receive structured examination. In a significant development on Tuesday, the Centre has agreed to constitute a committee to examine Meghalaya’s request for delegation of key coal mining approval powers to the state government.
The proposal emerged during a meeting between Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy in New Delhi. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla.
Sangma urged the Centre to delegate powers under Section 26 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, enabling the state to grant previous approvals and clear mining plans within Meghalaya itself. A detailed memorandum outlining the state’s position was submitted to the Union Minister.
Explaining the unique challenges, the Chief Minister pointed out that Meghalaya’s coal deposits are held in small family and clan parcels rather than large blocks found elsewhere in the country. The national model, he said, does not fit the state’s ground reality.
The 100-hectare minimum concession norm has effectively excluded most genuine tribal holders, as such large continuous areas are rare and seldom owned by a single entity. Small holders, he added, cannot reasonably bear the cost and inconvenience of repeated travel to central authorities for modest deposits.
Sangma recalled the Ministry’s in-principle agreement to Meghalaya’s request for relief as far back as 2015 and urged the Centre to now issue the necessary notifications under Section 26, along with connected powers under the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 and the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017.
Such a mechanism, he maintained, would allow tribal coal owners to undertake mining legally under regulatory oversight while complying with mining and environmental laws — replacing illegal operations with a transparent, accountable system.
The Union Minister gave the proposal a patient hearing and suggested that a committee be constituted to examine the matter in detail.
Sangma welcomed the suggestion and said the committee is expected to be constituted shortly.
However, for coal miners of Meghalaya, celebration at this juncture would be premature. While the Centre has shown willingness to engage by agreeing to examine Meghalaya’s concerns, it has not committed to the state’s key demands, including immediate delegation of approval powers or changes to existing norms.
The committee’s mandate is limited to thorough scrutiny and recommendation; the final outcome will depend on its findings and subsequent decisions by the central government. Any framework that emerges must firmly embed scientific mining practices, robust environmental safeguards, stringent worker safety standards and tangible benefits for local communities — ensuring that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
