Shillong, Jul 7: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today urged the central government to delegate coal mining approval powers to Meghalaya, arguing that the current system is denying thousands of tribal families their livelihood and state revenue.
Sangma met Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy in Delhi and submitted a formal request seeking delegation of powers under Section 26 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957. He was accompanied by Sutnga Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla.
The CM told the Union minister that Meghalaya’s situation is unique. As a Sixth Schedule state, land and minerals belong to individuals, clans or communities, not the state. The Supreme Court affirmed this in 2019 but also mandated compliance with the MMDR Act.
He pointed out that Meghalaya’s coal seams are “thin and scattered” and held in small family parcels, unlike the large blocks found in other states. The Centre’s requirement of a minimum 100 hectare concession area, set in 2021 standard operating procedures (SOPs), has therefore excluded most genuine holders, he said.
“For a small holder to travel repeatedly to Delhi and to the IBM office in Kolkata for approvals for a modest deposit is neither practical nor affordable,” Sangma said.
Since the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining in 2014, thousands of families dependent on small-scale coal mining have been left without work, the CM claimed. Meghalaya has also lost substantial revenue from royalty, cess and taxes.
Sangma recalled that the Coal Ministry had “in principle” agreed to Meghalaya’s request for relief as far back as 2015. He asked the Centre to now issue notifications delegating powers to grant previous approval and approve mining plans, along with related powers under the Mineral Concession Rules 1960 and Mineral Conservation and Development Rules 2017.
At the end of the meeting, Reddy suggested constituting a committee to examine the matter. Sangma welcomed the proposal and the committee is expected to be formed shortly.
