Shillong, Mar 17: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) has sought the intervention of the State BJP to grant Meghalaya with a “Small-Scale Scientific Coal Mining Policy”.
The JNC submitted a memorandum to State BJP president Rikman Momin today seeking support from the saffron party, which leads the government at the centre, to address the pressing issue that affects the livelihood of thousands in the Jaiñtia Hills region.
The group said this move follows Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s recent move to shift the responsibility of resolving coal mining policy issue to the central government.
The JNC advocated for the removal or amendment of the “100-hectare standard operating procedure (SOP)” established under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957.
Furthermore, the council calls for a comprehensive geological ground survey of coal-bearing regions in Meghalaya and the need for a scientifically regulated mining framework that is inclusive of the local communities and importantly, preserves the rights of indigenous tribal landowners while safeguarding the environment.
Momin assured the JNC that the issue will be taken up with legal experts of the party and to pursue it with the central government.
