SHILLONG: JUNE 9, 2014: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Special
Circuit Bench of the Eastern Zone today ordered for the continuation
of its interim order of April 17 when NGT banned rate hole mining in
the state of Meghalaya.
The hearing was conducted on the interim ban on rat-hole coal mining
and transportation of coal, alleged presence of child labourers in the
coal mines, and the July 6, 2012, and incident in South Garo Hills
where 15 miners were reportedly trapped in a mine.
The NGT further ordered for constitution of a committee that will
visit the coal mining sites to ascertain the quantity of extracted
coals lying there and mechanisms to export in out of the state within
seven days and accordingly submit its report.
The royalty recovered from the disposal of the coals would be shared
between State Government and District Councils and maximum amount of
royalty would be kept with the affected coal mine owners.
The hearing was chaired by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar who
will be accompanied by NGT expert member Ranjan Chatterjee, former
Meghalaya Chief Secretary.
Speaking to this reporter, Lawyer ODV Ladia of State Coordination
Committee of Coal Owners, Miners and Dealers Forum said, “The main
order is ‘coal mining is stopped from today’.
Reacting to the order passed, the Coal traders and exporters not happy
said, “We are in this field for years and now if the government stops
where we shall go. It will be very difficult for us to start fresh.”
Speaking to this reporter one of the coal exporter said, “Actually rat
hole mining in Meghalaya is suitable as it is an hilly area which will
not affect the environment when compared to those in the plain areas
where they have to mine through open cast; Mining in Meghalaya is from
the British time and if the government stop now we have nowhere to go,
how shall we start fresh?.”
“Our earning is through coal and not only us but the state government
as well as the central government can generate revenue actually in
dollars,” said the other coal exporter.
After the order is passed the daily life of hundreds of drivers are
also at stake.
“Meghalaya is not a farming area, and so people are surviving through
coal mining and if the mining is stopped lakhs of drivers will become
jobless; Government will obviously not give food to them therefore we
are not happy with the order; we demand that coal mining should be
allowed but of course government can lay down some rules on mining,”
said one of the coal transporters.
Huge presence of security personnel was also seen outside the High
Court of Meghalaya and Secretariat during the hearing and many coal
mine owners were also seen waiting anxiously outside the court during
the hearing.(SP News)
