Former Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Lanong, who held the Mining and Geology portfolio until 2013, said today that illegal coal mining would not be a problem today had then Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma, implemented the mining policy as formulated by Lanong’s department.
Agreeing with Dr Sangma, who has been at the forefront of opposition allegations of illegal coal mining activity in Meghalaya under the rule of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, Lanong, a member of the United Democratic Party, which until 2013 was in alliance with Dr Sangma’s Congress Party, said that the current administration is “duty bound” to ensure that those who violate the law with regards to coal and other matters “should be liable to face justice.”
However, he added, Dr Sangma owes an explanation to the public as to why he did not implement the mining policy that Lanong’s department arrived at in 2011 and which was approved by the cabinet. Lanong described the policy as “very pragmatic and comprehensive.”
“The legacy adopted during his time (in power) appears to percolate down the line. The doors would have been sealed had he implemented the policy then,” Lanong concluded.
