Meghalaya Government’s Land Clause Hampers Local Coal Miners In State: Coal Owners and Mine Dealers’ Forum

"The requirement of 100 hectares land for the prospective license of coal mining is unattainable for most small miners," said Regeenal Shylla

Reported by Purbasha Bhattacharjee | Copy edited by Lipika Roy

At a time when the Meghalaya government is pushing for scientific coal mining in the state, the State Coordination Committee of Coal Owners and Mine Dealers’ Forum has alleged that the rights of local coal miners and dealers in the state have been severely affected by the state government’s regulation.

It said that the state’s land clause for coal mining requires prospective miners to acquire at least 100 hectares of land to obtain a Prospecting License or Mining Lease for coal, making it nearly impossible for small-time miners to continue their operations.

Speaking to Northeast Live, Regeenal Shylla, a member of the forum said, “95 percent of the coal miners in the state are small-time operators, while only 5 percent are larger entities. Therefore, this regulation disproportionately impacts the majority of miners in the state, limiting their ability to participate in the coal mining industry. This is why not many people in the state can opt for coal mining, as they cannot meet such stringent criteria.”

The forum has raised concerns over this restrictive clause, highlighting the challenges faced by smaller miners who struggle to make a living from coal mining.

“The requirement of 100 hectares land for the prospective license of coal mining is unattainable for most small miners,” said Shylla.

He further questioned the state government as to why it made a clause which required for the prospective license of coal mining when the Central Government Act specified the requirement of 4 hectares of land only.

Stating that the people of Meghalaya will abide by central law rather than legislation implemented by the state government, he cited that the 6th schedule section 244 and 275 para. 12 (a) and (b), which expressly state that the state legislature and the autonomous District Council have no authority to establish regulations regarding coal mining in the state.

Shylla said that only the state government is empowered because clause 23(c) only allows it to frame a policy and not make a law.

COMMENTS

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *

Name *

Email *

Website

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *

Name *

Email *

Website