The Save Hynñiewtrep Mission has alleged that the NPP-led MDA government has implemented the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for coal mining in the State in order to allow few coal barons and companies to control and monopolise coal mining in the State.
The Save Hynñiewtrep Mission comprising HYC, HANM, JSM, EJNC and CORP in a statement issued today said that after the SOPs were implemented, the small and middle level coal miners will no longer be able to get involved in mining business.
According to the Save Hynniewtrep Mission, after the Supreme Court ordered for implementation of MMDR Act in the State for mining of coal, the MLAs and ministers of the NPP-led government misled the people by saying that the government has paved the way for resumption of coal mining in the State.
“The people due to lack of proper knowledge of the matter were happy thinking that they were now able to mine coal again. However, they did not realise that mining laws such as the MMDR Act are complicated and stringent,” the statement said.
It also said that the NPP-led government implemented the MMDR Act on coal mining by issuing an office memorandum on March 5, 2021 in which SOPs for coal mining license and lease were also made mandatory.
“As per the SOPs, only persons or companies having land of not less than 100 hectares will be issued a mining license. This is contrary to the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 issued by the Controller General of Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur which allowed mining by persons having land of not less than four hectares. Further, the SOPs also allow agreement between tribals and non-tribals and such non-tribals can apply for mining licenses,” the Save Hynñiewtrep Mission said.
It also said that the SOPs framed by the NPP-led government is a “curse on the people of the State especially the middle income persons” as they would have no financial capacity to purchase land of the size of 100 hectares.
“Since they do not have such a huge area of land, they would be compelled to sell off whatever land they have to rich people or companies. As a consequence, the economy from coal mining will be concentrated only on a few big shots whereas the low income people will be left out of coal mining,” it added.
The Save Hynñiewtrep Mission also said that the provision for agreement with non-tribals for coal mining is against the land tenure system and also against the spirit of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act besides opening the way for Benami transaction and “as a result all the wealth from our State will go to the non-tribals”.
Further, the Save Hynñiewtrep Mission mentioned that the SOPs on mining and export of limestone and other major minerals may also be implemented after the recent court’s directives on the matter.
It also appealed to the people of the State to stand in unison against these attempts by the State government to deprive small local miners from mining business through the implementation of such SOPs.
Meanwhile, a public rally has been scheduled in East Jaiñtia Hills district on December 30 to protest against the SOP.
Members of the EJNC announced that the rally to also commemorate the death anniversary of U Kiang Nangbah will begin from Teilang playground in Dkhiah East to Khliehriat.
