Shillong, May 26: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent Pala on Tuesday claimed that several people had applied for mining leases in Meghalaya but not a single coal mining operation had become functional despite the government being in power for the last several years.
Speaking to reporters, Pala said Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had earlier stated that around 18 to 22 applicants had sought mining leases, yet none had started operations.
He alleged that the government was not serious about resolving the coal mining issue and claimed that vested interests were preventing progress.
“Coal is a big challenge, but if the government wants to solve it, they can always solve it. If coal mining is fully solved, many people at the high level will lose their business, so why should they solve it?” he alleged.
Pala further questioned whether mining activities being carried out in some areas were following approved plans and regulations.
“Even if some operations are taking place, are they being done according to the plan or in their own ways? I think there is no realistic approach. The government does not know what to do and at the same time does not want to do it,” he claimed.
Referring to statements made by the CM on coal mining, Pala said the government had the authority to move the process forward if it wished to do so.
