Govt to come up with road map to resolve coal ban

SHILLONG, APR 6: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said that the government will work on a road map to ensure the ban on coal mining imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the state is lifted.

“I assure this House that we are working overtime on the issue (which has affected the livelihood of the people and the economy of the state). We will work a road map to resolve it,” Conrad said while replying to the debate on the governor’s address on Friday.

He said the state government will again pass an official resolution to urge the Centre government’s intervention into the issue.

According to him, the previous government had also passed an official resolution urging the Centre to invoke Para12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India through a presidential notification to exempt the state from the provisions of central laws.

Assuring that the issue is being taken as top priority, the chief minister said that a group of ministers, which was formed to look into the matter, will also held its sitting today to take stock and ensure safe and secure mining is taking place.

Asserting the need of striking a balance, he said there is need to put in the right policy to ensure that economic development as well as protecting the environment in the state.

By Our Reporter