SHILLONG : The Meghalaya government will approach the Centre seeking relaxation in existing coal mining regulations, including permission for smaller lease areas and state-level licences for small miners, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Tuesday.
The move follows a meeting held on Monday between the state government, coal traders and representatives of coordination committees from Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills. During the meeting, stakeholders highlighted challenges faced under the current scientific mining framework.
Dhar said the government listened to the concerns and suggestions raised by coal miners and acknowledged that the present scientific mining model may not be suitable for Meghalaya due to land constraints.
According to him, the state will request the Government of India to reduce the minimum size of mining lease areas so that local miners with smaller land holdings can legally undertake mining activities.
The Deputy Chief Minister also said Meghalaya will seek permission from the Centre to issue licences directly to small miners at the state level.
“We are committed to taking up the concerns of our people and will approach the Government of India based on the requests made by coal miners and stakeholders,” Dhar said.
He explained that small miners are those operating on land holdings of around five to six hectares.
Dhar further stated that the current scientific mining framework is largely based on opencast mining, which he said is not practical in Meghalaya’s terrain and land ownership structure.
The state government is also examining legal provisions under which other states, including Goa, have been allowed to undertake mining activities under special arrangements.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has already reached out to the Union Coal Ministry seeking an appointment to discuss the matter following the stakeholder meeting.
Highlighting the impact of the National Green Tribunal’s 2014 coal mining ban, Dhar said the restriction had severely affected the livelihoods of many families across the state.
“The coal ban has affected people tremendously. Many families have suffered economically, and that is why the government will strongly pursue the matter with the Centre,” he said.