Shillong, July 08: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has sent a letter to the Chief Executive Member jong ka KHADC to draws his attention to the “Tender Notice No: UCIL/KPM/Meghalaya – 002 “Expression of interest (EOI)”
In the letter the student body said that the intention of the UCIL to undertake developmental activities in certain areas of South West Khasi Hills District, is to initiate uranium mining in the district which is clearly stated in the said tender notice, which speaks volume of the agenda and objective of the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) as predicted and voiced by the Union from time to time. These developmental projects are an eye wash and must not be construed as the corporation’s incentive to uplift the people of the district but a means to provide basic essential requirement and facilities to its employees who will implement the mining of uranium in the said district.
The question of large scale health hazard is one of the fundamental aspects, which the Union has all along been opposing this proposed mining of the deadly element, especially on the issue of open cast mining which is specially mentioned in the said tender notice to extract Uranium Ore in South West Khasi Hills District. The said tender of the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) is a clear indication of their intention of force mining in the area, without any consideration of the fatal and irreversible effects that mining will have on the immediate local population, the surrounding villages, the district and the state as a whole, but their sole concern is to be able to mine this lethal mineral whatever the consequences may be, as such, it is therefore imperative that the Khasi Hill Autonomous District Council (KHADC) must thwart their nefarious design.
The Union wishes to reiterate that we are not against development in the district but are constantly vocal on the need for a holistic approach for the development of the district. The Union along with members of the KSU, South West Khasi Hills District, have on several occasions, met the then Chief Secretary, Mr. Barkos Warjri, and the Chief Engineer (Roads) PWD, to impress upon them, the need to expedite several road projects which are delayed due the indifference of the State Government officials, which bears testament to our consistent efforts for the well being of the people of the district as a whole. Our only humble suggestion is that a single lane road will be sufficient for the people of the area instead of the proposed double lane road by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH), which at present is not logical, considering the low vehicular activity in these areas.
It is also worth mentioning that the Union is highly pleased to have learnt that, in the recently concluded session, you have, in the floor of the house, decided and passed a resolution, to reject and opposed any proposal to issue NOC (No Objection Certificate), to mine uranium in the State which shows your maturity, commitment and concern for the well being of the people of South West Khasi Hills District, in particular, and the people of the State, in general notwithstanding the pressures and influences of certain vested interest for monetary gain or otherwise.
In conclusion, the union reiterates its opposition in the strongest possible term to any intention by your Executive Committee in the KHADC to issue a No objection Certificate (NOC) to the road projects (Double Lane) which, according to the Special Accelerated Road development Programme for North-East (SARDP-NE) , clearly indicates the objective of all the roads sanctioned in the district, will only be to facilitate uranium mining in the South West Khasi Hills District.
