SHILLONG, MAY 7: Meghalaya forest & environment minister Prestone Tynsong admitted that rat-hole coal mining is “illegal and damaging to the environment” and the state government has decided to regulate such mining activities in the state.
Tynsong said, “Under the Mines and Minerals (Development Regulation) Act rat-hole mining is illegal. It is also damaging to the environment.”
Coal is one of the minerals listed under the National Mines and Minerals (Development Regulation) (MMDR) Act.
Under the Act, for mining of the minerals a government lease is mandatory, but this is not the case in Meghalaya as under the sixth schedule of the constitution land belongs to the people and no lease is required to mine any mineral.
It is in this context, though rat-hole mining is illegal under MMDR and also Environmental Acts, but the constitutional provisions under the sixth schedule gives the state immunity
Tyngsong, however, said, “Coal mining cannot be banned in Meghalaya as it falls under the sixth schedule of the Constitution, however, steps are being taken to regulate this age old practice to minimize the damaging effects on the environment.”
The National Green Tribunal in its April 17 order had directed the state chief secretary and state DGP to ensure that rat-hole mining/illegal mining is stopped ‘forthwith’ throughout the state and any illegal transportation of coal shall not take place until further orders is passed by this tribunal.
The order came after the All Dimasa Students’ Union moved the tribunal on April 2, blaming illegal rat-hole mining in Jaintia Hills was polluting the Kopili River and turning its water acidic.
Stating that state government would appeal against the order, Tynsong said, “In the appeal, the state government will be citing the peculiar land tenure system in the state, as enshrined under the sixth schedule of the constitution.”
In its order the NGT had also directed the government to come up with appropriate schemes and statutory rules.
“We will be placing a set of schemes and statutory rules before the NGT expressing the state government’s desire to bring in regulation,” Tynsong informed.
Stating that the tribunal’s order is in the right direction, Tynsong said it has given the state government an opportunity to bring about regulations in the mining sector.
Coal and miners associations from the different part of the state have sought intervention of the state government into the sudden blanket ban of rat hole mining by the NGT.
On being asked, Tynsong however said the decision to appeal against the order is not being taken at the behest of the powerful coal miners’ lobby, which also includes several sitting and former legislators.
Tynsong said it is wrong to presume that the decision to appeal is being taken under pressure.- By Our Reporter
What a Corrupt regime….Our Land tenure system is peculiar, and Good he reminds us, BUT Mr Tynsong Sir, one cannot pollute the Environment around which gives life to those who cannot fight and appeal..One has to protect the FORESTS and the RIVERS and one cannot harm another HUMAN being by polluting the air that he/she breathes….So please spare us and do not think only of protecting the Party Funds…Next target should also be the illegally set up CEMENT Plants that even sponsor the Police Signboards…That time maybe the whole Secretariat will shift to Delhi to protect them too….
Why all this talk of BAN ON MINING???…..The NGT banned RAT-HOLE MINING/ILLEGAL MINING and not mining per se……Or is it because those who have contributed to the ecological degradation of our state don’t have it on their conscience to admit to their doings???…They don’t even care to consider changing over to more scientific means of mining because that would mean investing in costly machines instead of depending on cheap manual labour….Who cares what happens to the environment or the people who lose their lives in mining activity??…Certainly not the coal barons!!!…And now we have the government itself condoning such irresponsible and shameless people!!!!……Doesn’t any of them have a conscience????