Shillong, Apr 7: Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla has urged the government to come up with a practical coal mining policy that protects both the environment and the livelihoods of people in Meghalaya.
Speaking to reporters, Shylla referred to today’s rally organised by the Jaintia Coal Miners and Dealers Association in Khliehriat, saying it showed how strongly people feel about the issue.
“People are waiting for clarity from the government. Some steps have been taken, but more needs to be done,” Shylla said.
He stressed that coal remains a key source of income for many families, especially in the Jaintia Hills region. “We want a solution where people can earn their livelihood in a legal way,” he added.
Shylla made it clear that people are not asking for illegal mining, but for clear rules. He said the government should come up with proper standard operating procedures (SOPs) so that mining can be carried out within the law.
On the debate around mining methods, the MLA said large-scale open-cast or “scientific mining” may not work well in Meghalaya due to the nature of coal deposits. He explained that coal seams in the state are often thin, and removing huge amounts of soil would be costly and difficult.
Instead, he suggested looking at traditional or tunnel-based methods, with better safety and environmental checks. For example, he said water pumped out from mines should be filtered before being released into streams, and proper safety measures should be in place for workers.
On rat-hole mining, Shylla said the name may differ, but the focus should be on making the process safer and regulated. “If proper measures are followed, it can be done in a better way,” he said.
He also raised concerns about rules that require large land areas for mining. According to him, not many people own such large plots, and even if they do, the cost of mining could be too high compared to the returns.
Shylla warned that completely stopping coal mining would not help people or the state. “A total ban will not benefit anyone. We need a balanced approach,” he said.
Reacting to reports of illegal mining, he said people often turn to it because they have no other option. However, he added that he does not support any illegal activity. “If there are clear rules and legal ways to mine, people will follow them. No one wants to break the law,” he said.
