SHILLONG, SEPT 11: Sutnga-Saipung legislator Santa Mary Shylla on Thursday said the Union Ministry of Mines has responded positively to the state government’s demand for feasible norms for scientific coal mining in Meghalaya.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting in Delhi, Shylla said the meeting was chaired by Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and was attended by Meghalaya Law Secretary CVD Diengdoh, officials of the Directorate of Mineral Resources and CMPDIL.

“It was a very positive and progressive meeting. Our officers have been following up the matter of scientific mining. Presentations were made from both sides, including by CMPDIL on what is feasible in Meghalaya, especially in East Jaintia Hills,” she said.

According to Shylla, the central officials have agreed to visit Meghalaya, likely in October, to get a practical understanding of mining conditions in the state.

She said the state has urged the Centre to relax the size and area norms for scientific mining and to allow individual licensing, arguing that large-scale open-cast mining is neither economically viable nor environmentally suitable for the state.

“We have private land holding system in Meghalaya, not community land. Open-cast mining is very expensive and will degrade the environment. That is why we have requested that scientific mining licences be given individually and the land size be reduced,” she said.

Shylla added that the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, has been pursuing the matter since 2019 and the Centre’s current positive response is a result of continuous follow-up.

“People of Meghalaya, especially in the coal-bearing areas, are facing financial hardship. We are trying our best and hope that after the central team’s visit, a way forward will be worked out,” she said.