Shillong, June 2: Cabinet Minister and MDA government spokesperson Wailadmiki Shylla on Tuesday said the state government has already secured the lifting of the coal mining ban, but stressed that the shift to scientific mining has proven unworkable for small miners in Meghalaya.

“The ban was not imposed by the state government. It came from the NGT in 2014. After that, we saw huge protests and even lost precious lives,” Shylla said, referring to unrest following the tribunal’s order.

He clarified that the ban no longer stands.

“After the state government’s intervention, especially under the MDA, the coal ban has been lifted. The condition now is that mining must be scientific,” he said.

Shylla acknowledged that meeting the Coal Ministry’s requirements is “very difficult and challenging” given local terrain and traditional practices.

“Big miners have applied for licences, but people are now realising that it is not easy, especially for small miners. We share the same sentiment,” he said.

He explained that open-cast mining is not suited to the region’s coal deposits.

“The coal seams in our area are in layers. If we do open-cast mining, it will not be beneficial. Miners will only incur losses,” he said.

While reiterating the government’s dual responsibility, he added, “We are very concerned, especially MLAs from the Jaintia Hills. At the same time, we realise that as a government we have to balance things. We cannot destroy the environment, and we also have to ensure that people’s livelihoods continue.”

Shylla said the state could not have asked to resume rat-hole mining without first attempting scientific mining. “Now we have tried. Many of our miners with large holdings have come forward. But we realise it is not beneficial. Open-cast mining is not fit for our area,” he said.

He called for the issue to be raised with the Centre. “We have tried, but it’s not working. I think it is high time we approach the Union government and request them to look into this. We need to explore other possibilities using today’s technology to protect the interests of small miners,” he said.

The NGT banned rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya in 2014 due to environmental and safety concerns.

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