Shillong: All 30 members of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council voted to scrap the coal mining ban. The National Green Tribunal blocked the practice in 2014. The council now wants the central government to intervene.
The ban destroyed the local economy. Revenue from royalties and check gates evaporated over the last 12 years. This hit the budget hard. The council cannot repair schools or build water systems anymore. Members claim the shortfall crippled public welfare projects across the region.
Chief Executive Member Thombor Shiwat pushed a second resolution to protect tribal ownership. They want to recognize rights over surface and sub-soil resources. The plan limits mining to small operations of 0.5 hectares for families or clans. The council will create a Jaintia Hills Tribal Mineral Resource Registry to track these rights.
"The council stressed that all environmental, forest and pollution control laws, along with Supreme Court and NGT directions, would remain enforced."
The Meghalaya government also plans to pressure Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Officials want to shrink the 100-hectare requirement for scientific mining. They argue that 4 or 5 hectares suits the rocky terrain better. The council will send their demands to the Governor and state leaders soon.
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