Meghalaya’s Relentless Long Efforts for Scientific Mining Sees light

Meghalaya to witness transformation in mining sector with the previous approval of Central Government for grant of mining lease to 4 applicants.

In April 2014, National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a blanket ban on coal mining and transportation in the state of Meghalaya.

With this ruling, the mining industry suffered a negative growth of (-) 59.36% according to GSDP at constant prices in 2014-15 thereby affecting the GSDP as a whole, to register a negative growth of (-) 2.82%. Contraction of GSDP came as a big blow to Meghalaya’s ambitions of achieving its revenue collection targets.

Apart from the impact on the economy, the ban severely crippled the lives of thousands of citizens dependent on the mining sector, both directly and indirectly. Many have lost their livelihoods and had to resort to menial jobs, to feed their families.

Taking cognizance of all this, Hon’ble Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma led MDA government has provided much needed impetus to revive coal mining in the state. These efforts led to the landmark judgement of Hon’ble Supreme Court on 3rd July 2019, upholding the rights of people of Meghalaya over the natural resources.

This historic judgement has reposed the citizen’s faith in the Indian Judiciary and reflects the Government of Meghalaya’s commitment to protect the rights, culture, and identity of the indigenous people. The apex court held that private as well as community landowners have both surface rights and sub-surface rights, and minerals are owned by private and community landowners.

In a significant step towards initiating scientific coal mining, under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the State Government has availed the approval of the standard operating procedures for obtaining prospecting license and mining lease for coal in March 2021.

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