Meghalaya MLAs meet Goyal over coal mining ban

Guwahati: A delegation, comprising Meghalaya MLAs, representatives of the Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) and miners from Meghalaya, met Union minister of power, coal, new and renewable energy Piyush Goyal to apprise him of the adverse impact of the ban on extraction of coal in the state by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The NGT, based on a petition by Dimasa Students’ Union, imposed the ban saying that untreated toxic waste from coal mines was polluting the Kopili River in Assam besides affecting the environment.
A spokesperson of FINER said the delegation also requested Goel to take up the case with the NGT so that work can resume at the mines with necessary safeguards.
“A memorandum highlighting issues like the impact of the recent ban on tribals was submitted to the minister. Five lakh people of Meghalaya, who were engaged directly and indirectly with extraction of coal, have become unemployed. This may lead to social imbalance, insurgency, economic deprivation and loss of revenue to the state government,” the spokesperson said.
Goel gave a patient hearing to the delegation and appreciated the inputs and suggestions submitted by the delegation. “He also extended full support on the issue,” the spokesperson said.
The FINER also invited the minister to visit the northeast for interactive sessions with stakeholders in the coal mining sector in Meghalaya.