SHILLONG | Aug 04, 2016: The state cabinet on Monday decided to cancel the August 24, 2009 cabinet decision on an agreement to lease a land measuring 422 hectares in South West Khasi Hills to the UCIL for pre-mining activities. Terming the decision as historic after a cabinet meeting on Monday, chief minister Mukul Sangma said, “The decision to revoke the cabinet decision taken on August 24, 2009 is a strong message that any initiative related to pre-mining activities, a precursor to uranium mining, should not be done until and unless the people of the state are taken on board.”
He also said all concerned departments have been directed to communicate the decision to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL). The decision was taken following the recent tender for expression of interest (EOI) floated by the UCIL without the consent of the state government. Earlier, the North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the mining of uranium in Meghalaya and construction of mega dams in the region. NEDF, in its letter, had said both moves have been vehemently opposed by the indigenous people because of the possible effects it could have on the land and livelihood of the people as well as environmental hazards. Copies of the letter were sent to the Union ministers of home and DoNER, and governors and chief ministers of all northeastern states.
“This project will negatively impact other states in the region as well as Bangladesh. NEDF is also deeply concerned about the new environmental clearance given for the construction of 3 new dams Saskang, Dibang and Kantangshiri dams in Arunachal Pradesh,” the letter said.
(Source: http://thenortheasttoday.com/)