Meghalaya government failed to take up issue on coal ban: NPP

Meghalaya's opposition National People's Party (NPP) on Tuesday accused the Mukul Sangma government for failing to take up the issue of coal mining with the Central government post the National Green Tribunal ban.

"People in Meghalaya largely depend on coal directly or indirectly but the Chief Minister has failed to ensure that mining is in the interest of the people," NPP chief Conrad K. Sangma said at an election rally in West Khasi Hills district.

He said that he had raised the issue in the Parliament several times and with the Central government because he was "really concerned for our people and their livelihood" but it was "surprising that the state government under the leadership of Mukul Sangma failed to take up the issue with the centre".

He opined that Mukul Sangma had an "ulterior motive" and the people of Jaintia Hills have realised it and branded the Meghalaya Mining Development Corporation (MMDC) as "Mukul Mining Dikkanchi Corporation", as the Chief Minister tried all effort to force the people to sign an agreement with MMDC.

He said that the Central government had asked Meghalaya to draft a mining policy but Mukul Sangma has failed the people "because he has no vision".

"NPP has a political will but no political power, if the people give their mandate, NPP would ensure that mining starts again in the state," Conrad Sangma said while specifying that mining is a thrust area as NPP believes in scientific approach to coal mining.

He also promised a slew of development initiatives for a new and resurgent Meghalaya, while claiming that the people had enough of Congress.

--IANS

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