SHILLONG, AUG 18: The Meghalaya unit of BJP on Thursday has decided to seek clarification from the centre on the status of the mining plan submitted by the Congress led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA-II) government.
The decision was taken after the party received information that the concerned central ministries had returned the mining plan prepared by the Meghalaya government with a direction for resubmission of the same at the earliest.
According to the BJP, the status of the mining plan is not known till today whether the state government had re-submitted the coal mining plan or not despite the schedule hearing by the NGT on August 31.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday, BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh said, “We have decided to dispatch a high level delegation of the party to Delhi to seek clarification on the status of the state mining plan.”
tBJHe informed that the delegation will meet the Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Forest & Environment by August last week keeping in mind that the NGT’s blanket ban on coal mining since 2014 has affected the people and state’s economy.
“We would seek clarification as to whether the state government had resubmitted the mining plan or not and whether the ministry had granted approval for the same,” he said.
Lyngdoh also maintained that while his party is not opposing mining of minerals, but such activities must be followed side by side by efforts in protecting and preserving the environment.
Interestingly, BJP functionaries who are also members of the State Coordination Committee of Coal Owners, Miners & Dealers Forum (SCCCOMDF) were also present during the press briefing.
They slammed the Congress led state government for its alleged failure to take on board coal miners and owners for their views and suggestions while drafting the state mining plan.
“We have time and again requested the state government to take us on board as we have better knowledge on the issue but unfortunately the request was never accepted till today,” BJP member from East Garo Hills SR Marak said.
He however stated but the NGT in its order issued on July 21, had allowed the coal miners to submit their views and suggestions for incorporation in the proposed state mining plan.
According to him, within a week’s time the coal miners were able to prepare the additional mining guidelines and submitted to the concerned central ministries.
Blaming the state government for the delay, Marak said, “The Secretary of Coal Ministry in a recent meeting told us that the earlier mining plan of the state government was just a copy paste of the mining plans of different states which does not suit the mining activities in Meghalaya. In view of this the ministry had asked the state government to prepare a mining plan which is viable for the state.”
He added, “However the state government was yet to submit its mining plan till July 28. He (Secretary) told us that the ministry is ready to help but it cannot do anything until and unless the state government takes pro-active steps in preparing and submit its mining plan.”
Echoing similar concerned, BJP member from West Shillong Sonny Khyriem said that it is shameful that the Secretary of Ministry Coal had to come all the way to Meghalaya to meet the state government, which is supposed to have conducted a follow up on the issue.
Stating that the BJP has no interest in taking political mileage on the issue, Khyriem said, “We have decided to take up the matter due to inactiveness of the state government. We are deeply concerned about the miners who are badly hit by the NGT ban on coal mining.”
Pointing that the state is losing Rs 600 crores annually due to the ban, he however said there are many untold sufferings faced by the people and yet there have been no rehabilitation package from the state government despite the state getting huge revenue from coal mining. The government has completely failed to address the issue, he alleged.-By Our Reporter
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