Shillong, Feb 13: The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has been consistent in its messaging on coal – its importance to the local economy, need to stamp out illegal rat-hole mining and efforts to start so-called scientific mining.
This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today and it comes in the wake of claims by state Congress Party president Vincent Pala that the government had created confusion in the minds of the people about mining.
Meanwhile, there is still no concrete update on the formation of a judicial inquiry into last week’s Thangsko mining disaster, which led to the deaths of 32 people.
Although the government announced its intention of holding an inquiry, the commission’s members have yet to be announced. Tynsong did say today that it will be led by a retired judge with two other members but this is fairly standard.
Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has already begun its probe into the incident.
Tynsong said the government is taking the matter seriously and that strict action will be taken at every level. He stated that authorities are also investigating the supply chain of explosives allegedly used in illegal mining activities.
He defended the government’s stance on coal ever since it came to power in 2018. The MDA had challenged the rat-hole mining ban (issued by the National Green Tribunal in 2014), saying that it “severely impacted” the economy and that mining was a traditional livelihood in Meghalaya.
A turning point was a Supreme Court ruling that recognised that land in Meghalaya belongs to private individuals, clans and traditional institutions. This ruling was significant, particularly in the context of the nationalisation law that governs major minerals such as coal and limestone.
Following this, Tynsong explained, the central government permitted mining activities subject to proper licences, approved mining plans and leases from the relevant authorities, including the ministries concerned. He said several mining licences have since been approved and three to four miners are preparing to begin scientific mining, with machinery installation already underway.
However, he acknowledged that illegal rat-hole mining continues in some areas. He said that since 2014, the state government has repeatedly directed deputy commissioners and district administrations across the state to ensure that illegal mining activities are stopped.
In the wake of the Thangsko tragedy, the government has issued fresh directives to the East Jaintia Hills district administration to take immediate steps to shut down all illegal mining operations wherever they are found.
