Coal miners hail Conrad-led Govt over effort to start scientific coal mining in Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 21, 2021

Coal miners on Friday hailed the Conrad K Sangma-led MDA government for its effort to start scientific coal mining in the state.  

This came after the Centre through the Ministry of Coal has on May 6, allowed the start of coal mining in Meghalaya by approving 5 coal mining applications submitted by the state government.

The order states that coal mining operation shall be subject to observance of conditions laid down in Chapter V of Mineral Concession Rules 1960.

The order came out exactly after two months of framing of The Standard Operation Procedure for Coal Mining in Meghalaya 2021 by the present State Government.

“With the Ministry of Coal, Government of India’s approval of the Coal mining Licence of Shainingstar Khardewsaw, Marbiangbor Nongsiej, Erantis Sympli and Sajay Laloo in West Khasi Hills and Teilang Pde in Southwest Khasi Hills District, the ban on the coal mining has finally come to an end and the scientific coal mining in Meghalaya is going to start,” a statement issued by Shainingstar Khardewsaw and Marbiangbor Nongsiej said.

“Thus, light and hope is back and soon the gloomy days and cloudy skies for the coal miners community will be over in the state. We expect that with the end of the pandemic in the coming months, new life will begin for everybody. We are confident to say that, legal coal Business in Meghalaya will be able to support maximum households especially in the rural areas,” they said.

Hailing the present leadership in the government for hearing the plight of the coal miners community and for delivering the election promise of lifting the ban on coal mining, they said, “We wish the Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma a very long life and happy days ahead.”

It may be mentioned here that, way back on 17th April, 2014 the National Green Tribunal had imposed a ban on Coal Mining in Meghalaya and all the coal mining related activities had come to a grinding halt.

The coal miners also slammed the then Congress-led state government for allegedly failed to move even one application before the Supreme Court or the Green Tribunal to challenge the ban imposed by the Green Tribunal and prevent its citizens from the harsh situation.

“The irresponsible attitude of the previous government in the state in not challenging the ban or by sleeping quietly on the issue has taken tolls on the lives of several people who were dependent on coal mining and trading. The state economy was also badly affected by the ban,” they said.

The statement said going against all odds and inept attitude of the previous government, with the intention of moving the state in the right direction and safeguarding the life and improving the economic situation of the people, the present government under the leadership of Conrad K sangma, had in 2019 challenged the Order or National Green Tribunal before the Supreme Court of India.

It said the effort of the State Government had finally borne the fruit of success and on 3rd July, 2019 that was after marathon hearings and arguments by the State Counsels before the Supreme Court, the  Supreme Court has finally lifted the ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal.

It was a historical moment for the state as the right and ownership of land and minerals below the soil was clarified by the Supreme Court that it vests with the tribal people of the State.

The Supreme Court of India had in its order mentioned that in the Hill state of Meghalaya, the tribal people who are the local residents of the state are the owners of their land and also the minerals below their land.

The Court further added that if coal mining is done under the MMDR Act 1957 and MCR Rules 1960, the ban imposed by the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal shall not come on its

way or it is not applicable.

It will not be out of place to say here that on March 2021 the National Green Tribunal has disposed off all the coal mining cases against state of Meghalaya which were pending right from 2014 when the Congress led government was ruling the State, the statement added.