Handover mining plan to us: state BJP

SHILLONG, SEPT 7: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit slammed the Congress led MUA-II government for its incompetence and inability to come up with the comprehensive mining plan for the past 15 months. The saffron party in the state also challenged the state government to surrender to the party so that the BJP can pursue the issue with the central government.

BJP state general secretary Dipayan Chakraborty said in a statement on Monday the party would like to know when will the government place the coal mining plan as ordered by NGT. He said, “We demands that the plans be finalized without any delay and if the government is not competent they should surrender by expressing it inability to do so and the BJP will pursue it  with our government at the centre.”

Chakbraborty  said BJP believes in balance between protection of environment and development. According to him, the National Green Tribunal’s ban on mining of coal is over a year and it has banned the present unscientific s mining with recommendation that it introduce regulation by formulating scientific mining and environment protection measures.

He said in all its subsequent orders NGT has strongly outlined the need for Meghalaya to prepare a comprehensive mining guidelines/plan which has to also include environment restoration and protection measures and in the absence of such plans further mining of coal shall not be allowed.

Chakraborty questioned what progress the government has made in preparing such guidelines and plans covering both mining and environment protection measures. He said, “During every hearing, the government prays for time which clearly shows that the government is still floundering and has no clue on how to move forward on this issue.”

Stating that the NGT has finally given time till September 29 to submit the plan, the BJP state general secretary said, “Our chief minister who is also in-charge of mining is answerable for the serious lapse or inaction which will adversely affect thousands of families throughout the state.”

He said the silence and inaction for over 15 months since NGT order for a mining plan before mining could be allowed is highly suspicious and speaks volume on the inefficiency of the government in salvaging the situation.

He allege whether the inaction is a deliberate attempt to target few specific districts, he demanded an answer of the government’s inactivity.

He also said the failure added to the woes of the people of the state, livelihoods of thousands has been affected due to the ban on mining/extraction of all minerals including limestone and questioned as to why the government is silent on this issue.- By Our Reporter