Photo Courtesy: nenow
Shillong: Meghalaya will pass a formal resolution to ban uranium mining. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma confirmed the move on Thursday to kill off years of speculation. The state government never approved extraction, and this resolution locks that stance into formal policy. It aims to protect the state’s ecology and address decades of public fear regarding health and displacement. "The Meghalaya Government will pass a resolution to formally oppose and ban uranium mining in Meghalaya," the Chief Minister said.
State leaders have other fires to fight. The Union government plans to table the controversial Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, during the monsoon session of Parliament. The session starts July 20. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai first introduced the Bill in the Lok Sabha on March 25. It stalled in April after intense protests.
The Bill creates a "designated authority" to seize control of foreign assets if an organization loses its FCRA registration. Schools, hospitals, and land built with foreign funds could be sold off. Profits would go to the Consolidated Fund of India. This hits Meghalaya hard. Christians make up nearly 75 percent of the state. Church-run groups provide most education and health services in remote areas.
Sangma led a delegation to New Delhi on July 5. They met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The group included the Presbyterian Church of India, the North East India Christian Council, the Catholic Archdiocese of Shillong, and the Garo Baptist Convention. Sangma pushed for a balanced approach. "Any changes to the law should not disrupt the functioning of genuine institutions engaged in public service," he stated.
Shah promised to examine the delegation's memorandum and hold more talks. He also claimed the law will not apply retroactively. Still, the Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum wants the state assembly to demand the bill’s withdrawal. They cite the Kerala Assembly, which passed a similar resolution on July 1. KJCLF Secretary Rev. Edwin H. Kharkongor warned that the changes could cripple welfare programs. BJP MLA Alexander Laloo Hek also wants more consultation. Meanwhile, the Congress and Voice of the People Party continue to push back. The Centre insists the changes are needed to stop the misuse of funds.
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