SHILLONG | March 10, 2015: In pursuance of the recommendations of the Group of Officers constituted by the Centre to deal with the issues related to ban on coal mining, the State Government is planning to submit a proposal to the Centre for suitable exemptions to traditional mining practices (rat hole mining) under Para 12A(b) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India after due consultation with all the stakeholders.
The Meghalaya Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi while addressing the House on the first day of the Budget session on Monday said that in response to the request of the State Government, the Government of India has constituted a Committee of Group of Officers under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary with the Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, as one of the members to work out a harmonious solution to the ban on coal mining.
He said based on the recommendations of the Group of Officers, the State Government would seek exemption under Para 12A(b) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution.
The exemption is to carry on with existing traditional mining practices in the State.
Besides this, the Governor said that on the request of the State Government , the ministry of coal has also constituted an expert group led by Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited to prepare broad guidelines for the mining of coal in the state and the Director General of Mines Safety to prepare guidelines on health, occupational safety, and related issues. The Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation will be strengthened to provide guidance and technical assistance to miners to prepare Mining Plan including mine closure plan, the Governor said . According to the Governor, the State Government will facilitate reclamation of abandoned mines and also take steps for restoration of acidic water bodies.
The Governor also said that State Government has also constituted a committee to frame administrative guidelines, rules and appropriate procedures for the implementation of the Meghalaya Mines and Mineral Policy 2012 which aims at facilitating systematic, scientific and planned utilization of mineral resources and to bring coal mining within the fold of a regulatory regime.
The State Government will come up with an appropriate mining scheme to meet the requirement of mining on scientific basis duly addressing environmental concerns, safety and health factors , he said.
(Source: http://www.theshillongtimes.com/)