Shillong, Oct 14: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said that mining money must build a sustainable future, not just fill coffers.
Addressing a function to celebrate 10 years of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) at the State Convention Centre here, he said while mining remains a vital pillar of Meghalaya’s economy, revenue from it must be reinvested into livelihoods, community infrastructure and income-generating activities.
“Mining is important, but we must reinvest royalty and DMF funds to regenerate the economy into a more sustainable form,” Sangma said.
In 10 years, DMF has mobilised Rs 181 crore in Meghalaya. 923 projects were sanctioned, 542 completed, including classrooms, health centres, drinking water, footbridges, water conservation dams and plantation in quarry areas.
The CM said DMF must now go beyond bricks-and-mortar to lasting economic opportunities in mining-affected areas.
He asked Deputy Commissioners to use DMF funds more creatively for livelihoods, assuring convergence support from the government and CM’s Secretariat.
Sangma also asked districts with mining but no active DMF to operationalise it immediately and ensure timely completion of projects.
On mining, Sangma said it remains the biggest employment generator. The government is pushing for safer, scientific mining suited to Meghalaya’s geology and community land system. Talks with the Centre on relaxing minimum area norms for small miners have seen positive movement, he added.
“We are transforming from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy,” he said.
