SHILLONG, DEC 10: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has appealed for understanding on the issue of alleged illegal coal mining in the state, saying that the government needs to balance the administrative and judicial aspects with the social and humanitarian concerns.

“While we look at the administration and judicial aspect to it, we also need to realize the social aspect, the livelihood aspect, and understand the humane side of why this is happening,” Sangma told reporters on Tuesday.

The chief minister emphasized that the sudden ban on coal mining, which was deemed legal for the past 200 years, has affected the livelihoods of people who have been dependent on it for generations.

“It’s not practically so simple for individuals who have their livelihood depending on mining for hundreds of years and families for generations and generations, and suddenly you tell them you cannot do this and you cannot live your life or support your family through this.”

Sangma appealed for understanding on the humanitarian aspects of the issue, saying that the government is working towards finding alternative livelihoods for those affected.

“What is important for us to see is that slowly and steadily, we should find an alternative, and hopefully, we will find the situation where we are now in the coming days that we will have a safer system for the miners and a safer system.”

Stating it is not a simple matter of declaring coal mining illegal overnight, Sangma said, “I have repeated this hundred times… Two things here – 2014 and before for 200 years, the mining was done in the way rat hole or tunnel mining whatever you called it and lakhs and lakhs of families were involved in this and suddenly you come and say oh the same thing which was okay and legal for 200 years is from tomorrow illegal.”

The chief minister emphasized that the sudden change has caused a shock to the people, especially the miners, who are struggling to adapt to the new reality. “Obviously, it was a big shock to the people, especially to the miners. Therefore, it takes time for them to come out of that mode where livelihood and their families and lives are dependent on that other businesses are dependent on it.”

Sangma defended the government’s actions and said that they have taken steps to implement the ban on illegal mining, including filing thousands of cases, chargesheets, and closing down mines.

“Whenever there have been cases where we have been given information about facts that illegal mining has been happening, the government has acted.”

However, he also emphasized the need for alternative livelihoods for those affected by the ban. “For livelihood to be sustainable in the long run, alternatives have to be given to people. Now, if you want an alternative to mining, you have to come with scientific mining.”

Sangma assured that the government is working towards transitioning to a safer and more scientific mining system, but acknowledged that it will take time.

“The process is on. We have seen that transition from a rat hole to a scientific and safer mining happening. It is going to happen, but it takes time because people have to invest, adapt, and file for different procedures, get permission from Delhi, Coal Ministry, CMPDCIL, government of Meghalaya – so it is going to take time.”

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