SHILLONG, MAR 27: Mine workers of the state have decided to \pressurize the state government to submit the ‘mining-plan and policy’ within a period of six weeks as directed by the NGT so that coal mining in the state can resume early.
Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Operators Association –MCTOOA- president Augustine Shanpru told reporters during a media conference on Friday, “The state government should speed up the process of ensuring that the mining plan be put in place within the stipulated time directed by the NGT.”
The demand came after the recent order issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) allowing transportation of extracted coal till May 31 and also the direction of the government to submit state’s mining plan.
Speaking on behalf of the mine workers, Shanpru said, “We have reached a stage where only the scientific and eco-friendly mining plan and policy is needed to be submitted by the government.” He also felt that if the government wants it can complete the mining plan within the time frame.
Shanpru informed that having the mining plan in place will help early resumption of coal mining which has been banned since April last year. He said, “The case was unnecessarily dragged to a one year long period because of the failure of the state government to cooperate and comply with the NGT’s directions.”
Shanpru also informed that the expectation of the disposal order from the NGT entirely depended on the state government.”
Reminding of the recent order of the NGT in the wake of the instruction issued by the Supreme Court in the case of a mine worker, Lber Laloo said, “The order has come as a blessing to the people of the state.” According to him, about 60 per cent of employments are directly and indirectly dependent on coal mining and trading in Meghalaya.
Meanwhile, the group of mine workers also informed that the transportation of already extracted coal will commence from Tuesday next. “Coal will be allowed to be transported only to those trucks having challans,” they said adding that they will not take responsibility against those who are without challans.
At the same time, MCTOOA urged the drivers to refrain from overtaking and causing inconvenience to public along the NH-40 and 44. Shanpru appealed to the authorities concerned to take stern legal actions against any drivers indulging in such activities. – By Our Reporter
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