The Union Ministry of Coal has granted mining lease to four persons to mine coal in the State.
In a letter to the Secretary, Mining and Geology Department on April 25, the Coal Ministry said that mining lease has been granted to Nehlang Lyngdoh, Maksing Sibren Nongbri, Thomas Nongtdu and Wenni Diengngan.
Lyngdoh was granted a mining lease to mine coal from Coal Block-A located at Lumiakhi-Wahsarang village in East Jaintia Hills.
Nongbri got a mining lease to mine coal from Kalagaw Coal Block located at Umber village under Ranikor C&RD Block, South West Khasi Hills.
Nongtdu secured a mining lease to mine coal from Saryngkham Coal Block-A located at Byndihati village in East Jaintia Hills.
Moreover, Diengngan got a mining lease to mine coal from Pyndengshahlang Coal Block located at Sdaddkhar village under Nongstoin C&RD Block, West Khasi Hills.
The Coal Ministry also said that it is incumbent upon the ‘competent authority’ of the State government “to ensure that the mining leases are subject to observance/compliance of conditions specified in Chapter V of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today announced that scientific mining of coal in Meghalaya will begin in the next two months given that the Centre has approved the mining leases of four miners.
“This NPP government has been working tirelessly to resume mining in the State. So in 2019, we filed a petition in the Supreme Court after mining was banned by the National Green Tribunal. In 2019, the Supreme Court lifted the ban and asked the Centre and Meghalaya government to frame a policy for scientific mining,” Sangma said while addressing a campaign rally for elections in Sohiong Assembly constituency.
Sangma said the Centre and Meghalaya government prepared a mining plan as directed by the Supreme Court and the Centre has recently approved the mining lease of four miners.
“The final paperwork for scientific mining will be completed within 60 days,” he added.
