Centre grants mining licenses for 3 blocks in Meghalaya, coal miners hail Conrad K Sangma as ‘dynamic CM’

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 24, 2021

The Ministry of Coal has granted mining licenses to coal miners in East Jaintia Hills for production in three blocks even as the latter have hailed the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for ensuring lifting of the NGT ban.   

The coal mining licenses were granted to Nehlang Lyngdoh and Thomas Nongtdu, who are land owners of the three blocks, on Thursday.

Both of them are also former political leaders. Lyngdoh was a former minister while Nongtdu, a former JHADC chief executive member.

The licenses are in the name of Labour Lyngdoh, resident of Rymbai village and Dapmain Shylla of Byndihati village.

In a statement issued on Friday, Labour and Dapmain termed the decision as the rise of dawn for the people of Jaintia Hills region especially East Jaintia Hills district.

“The works for preparation of Mining Plan will start as soon as possible and we hope by the early part of 2022 or by March 2022 mines opening should take place and coal production will once again start from Jaintia Hills in these three blocks,” they said.

The coal miners also thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister in-charge Ministry of Coal Pralhad Joshi and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for hearing the plights of the coal miners and making their long awaited dreams come true today.

Stating that the NGT ban on coal mining in Meghalaya has displaced thousands of families and brought lots of miseries and starvations all over the state, the two licensees slammed the previous Congress government citing that “it (Congress) has done nothing to lift the ban or to hear the plight of the affected people.”

Lauding the NPP-led MDA government, they said, “This time we are lucky to have a young, dynamic and farsighted Chief Minister Conrad Sangma Ji for working very hard in lifting the ban, and today is a historic day for the people of Jaintia Hills.”