Shillong, Feb 12: The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), a minor player in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, has called for rules around mining to be made simpler and for powers to be devolved by the central government to the state.
Speaking to HP, HSPDP president KP Pangniang expressed grave concern over the deadly Thangsko mining tragedy in East Jaintia Hills and called for stern action against those involved in illegal coal mining. He welcomed the government’s decision to institute a judicial inquiry into last week’s explosion that claimed the lives of over 30 miners.
Pangniang, however, stated that he also wants to see mining of the legal sort made easier. So-called scientific mining is meant to get extraction of coal in the state going again but few licences have been issued by the central government, not least because of the requirements placed on the licensee.
The HSPDP president said that those who have been denied permission and licences felt like their right to the land and a livelihood were being suppressed.
He urged for concrete and simplified laws governing coal mining in the state, pointing out that licences and permissions are often issued to a select few, leaving the masses feeling unfairly treated. He added the devolution of oversight powers from the central to the state government to ensure a sense of ownership and resolve the crisis to some extent.
