In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Principal Secretary in charge Mining and Geology department, Y Tsering said that the Committee was given the mandate to work out a harmonious solution into the matter, and it is required to submit the report and recommendations within two months.
The Committee held its first meeting on September 22 where the State Government presented its point of view on the matter at length.
Tsering said that efforts are being made by both by the Centre and State to find a long term solution to the issue of coal mining in Meghalaya.
The State Government also stated that the broad outline of the way coal mining would be carried out in the State are spelt out clearly in the Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy, 2012.
“However, when the stage came for implementation of the Policy, it was found that there were many provisions in the Central laws which were repugnant to the customary practices followed in the State in relation to mining. Unless this position was resolved and reconciled, it would not be possible to carry on the mining of coal in the State,” Tsering said.
While citing an example, Tsering said that the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 permits mining of coal for commercial purposes only by a Central Government company or corporation adding that similarly, there are other restrictions imposed by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Accordingly, with a view to resolving this problem, he said, the state government had taken up the matter with the Centre at the level of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma through a letter addressed to the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on May 5 last wherein it was proposed that while taking recourse to the provision of paragraph 12A(b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to India, the application of the these two Acts may be withdrawn in relation to Meghalaya, so that the State Legislature may make appropriate legislation to regulate mining in the State in accordance with the Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy, 2012.
“We had also suggested that certain provisions in the two statutes may be appropriately modified in the context of the customary practices followed in the State,” the Principal Secretary in charge Mining and Geology department said.
However, Tsering said that other regulatory framework relating to safety of operations, environmental management plans, forest clearances, and restrictions on child labour will be strictly adhered to by all concerned.
He also clarified that the state government had submitted a proposal on mining plan and the health plan to the Ministry of Coal on July 23 and July 27 respectively.
“A copy of the two proposals was submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests separately as well,” Tsering said.
Source: The Shillong Times
Post a Comment