The Divisional Forest Officer of East and North Garo Hills has issued a notification prohibiting any mining activities without a valid quarry permit or mining lease issued under Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules 2016.
The notification said that mining without valid permits is a violation of Section 4(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 which is punishable under Section 21 of the MMDR 1957.
The notification also said that applications for quarry permits for quarrying of sand in the areas of East and North Garo Hills have to be submitted in the office of the Divisional Forest Officer (T).
Further, the notification informed that the District Survey Report on sand mining for East and North Garo Hills had been finalized, the copy of which is available at the district portal of the respective districts.