Shillong, Jul 12: East Jaintia Hills MLAs Santa Mary Shylla (Sutnga-Saipung) and Kyrmen Shylla (Khliehriat) briefed members of the Jaiñtia Coal Miner and Dealer Association (JCMDA) along with residents from across Jaiñtia Hills at a meeting held recently.
Addressing the gathering, Santa Mary Shylla said the recent meeting between the Union Minister for Mining in Delhi and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was “fruitful”.
On the scientific mining plan, she informed that the Union minister has directed the formation of a state-level committee along with heads of coal mines. The committee will meet officials of the Mining and Geology Department and will look into the procedure and conduct an inspection.
New Delhi has also sought a report from the state government for a thorough examination of the matter, the MLA added.
Santa Mary further said that the CM has apprised the Centre of the need to invoke Section 6 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act to hand over the matter of coal mining to the state government.
The MLA lauded the JCMDA for its efforts toward scientific underground mining and vowed that she, along with Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla, will work harder to ensure mining is reopened.
Kyrmen Shylla said coal is the livelihood of the people of the region and urged for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure coal mining resumes so that future generations can also sustain themselves.
JCMDA vice-president Justine Dkhar said the association will continue to pursue the matter until a “permanent solution” is achieved so that those engaged in the field and the public at large do not suffer.
