Khliehriat, Jun 8: The Jaintia Coal Miners and Dealers Association (JCMDA) has submitted a memorandum to the district council seeking its intervention to formulate a legal framework for small scientific underground coal mining.
The association, representing the coal miners, dealers, transporters, landowners, and workers across the Jaintia Hills region urged the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) to leverage its constitutional powers under the Sixth Schedule to formulate regulations that accommodate the unique needs and rights of the tribal communities involved.
According to the association, a tailored framework can enhance safety, ensure environmental protection, and aid in restoring livelihoods.
“Such a framework may, inter alia, provide for small-scale mining operations by local tribal landowners, mandatory scientific underground mining methods with proper support systems, safety protocols and monitoring mechanisms, practical environmental safeguards and safety standards and establishment of a dedicated JHADC Regulatory Cell for oversight, monitoring, compliance and grievance redressal,” JCMDA president Borin Shadap said.
Stating that the recent commencement of scientific coal mining activities in the State marks an important development, the association said there remains an urgent need for a comprehensive framework specifically addressing the realities of small-scale mining operations.
