Shillong: The Jaintia Students’ Movement gave a green light to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s plan to control coal mining in Meghalaya. The group wants the Centre to hand over powers under Section 26 of the Mines and Minerals Act. This move aims to fix a long-standing ban. Mining must start again. Thousands of families in Jaintia Hills need their jobs back.
The group issued a firm warning regarding tribal authority. They claim any new power must not strip the Autonomous District Councils of their Sixth Schedule rights. The JSM insists the state government consult the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council on every draft. "This is currently the most viable path to resume regulated mining and safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of families in Jaintia Hills who have been affected by the prolonged ban."
State lawmakers must pass the bill to make it stick. The Governor needs to sign off on the deal. Officials must align state development goals with local land customs. A joint approach protects the people. It keeps the law tight and fair.
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