New mining policy will ensure environment protection: Sangma

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today expressed optimism to resolve the crisis following the NGT ban on mining and transportation of coal in the state, by submitting a mining policy which will ensure protection of the environment and also the safety of workers.
The Chief Minister said the state was also awaiting the Centre's approval, which would provide a cover from the Central Mineral Mining Laws in the state to ensure individual coal mine owners access to the mines.
"We are hopeful that sooner than later we will be able to resolve this issue (of getting approval for mining and transportation of coal)," Mukul told the Assembly, while replying to a motion jointly moved by opposition legislators K P Pangniang and Diostarness Jyndiang.

Following the NGT imposing a blanket ban on mining and transportation of coal on April 17, 2014, the state Assembly had last year adopted a resolution urging the Centre to invoke Para 12A(b) of the Sixth Schedule through a presidential notification to ensure relevant provisions of two acts - MMDR and Coal Mines Nationalisation Act, 1973, were exempted in Meghalaya.
Clarifying on the latest status of the case, Sangma said the state government has framed guidelines on coal mining activities and the same was submitted to the NGT and the Ministry of Coal.
The guidelines take care of various statutory laws in respect to environment, pollution, health and safety of workers, he said.

"Our exercise to prevail upon the Centre to invoke the relevant provision of Para 12A(b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution has not been ignored," the Chief Minister said.

He said there have been a number of discussions on the proposals of the Government of Meghalaya including the guidelines, which was also submitted to line ministries.
"I also held a number of engagements on the sidelines, while attending meetings with officials and union ministers and we are following it up," Sangma said.
The Chief Minister also urged coal mine owners not to indulge in attempts to violate the NGT orders.