Meghalaya Govt agrees to form committee for small scale mining policy amid hunger strike in East Jaintia Hills

SHILLONG, JUN 17: The Meghalaya government has agreed to constitute a committee with the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills and representatives of the Jaintia Coal Mines and Stone Quarries Welfare Association (JCOMSWA) to draft a Small Scale Mining Policy, following days of hunger strike by coal miners in the district.

JCOMSWA Information Secretary Overcome Dkhar said Wednesday that the decision was taken during a meeting with the Chief Secretary.

According to him, the committee will be tasked with drafting the policy framework for small and marginal miners in the district.

The government also agreed to temporarily halt the movement of coal coming from outside the state until Justice (Retd) BP Katakey visits on June 29, 2026.

Officials further clarified that affected persons can avail benefits under the Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund (MEPRF), which is administered through the DC office in East Jaintia Hills.

The government additionally promised to discuss with the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council the framing of a law to protect landowners’ rights.

Despite the assurances, JCOMSWA said it is “not 100% satisfied” and will continue the hunger strike until Justice Katakey arrives.

Dkhar stated that the association’s president remains hospitalized and that the protest will continue until there is clarity on reopening coal mines for small and marginal miners to resume work as before.

On scientific mining, Dkhar said the association does not accept the current 100-hectare model as small miners lack the capacity and resources to operate at that scale.

The hunger strike in East Jaintia Hills began over demands for the resumption of mining operations and a policy tailored to small-scale miners affected by the ban on rat-hole mining.

Also Read: How Jampui Hills is putting Tripura on India’s coffee map

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