Shillong: Union Minister of State for the Department of Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh, remains noncommittal on the future of uranium mining in Meghalaya. He told reporters on Monday the proposal remains under consideration. The Centre is drafting rules for the SHANTI Act 2025. SHANTI stands for Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India. This law aims to open the sector to private companies. "We are working on it," Singh stated when pressed on the Meghalaya project.
Singh declined to answer whether the federal government plans to restart extraction operations. The ambiguity follows recent reports of private buyers and officials scouting for land in Domiasiat and the South West Khasi Hills district. Locals and various groups now fear a clandestine effort to restart the controversial project. The Khasi Students’ Union alleges that former legislators are buying land in these regions for cheap to pave the way for future mining.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma rejects these reports. He insists his government still opposes any uranium extraction in the state. "I have stated this clearly time and again. Our government has made its position very clear that we are against uranium mining in our state," Sangma said on Monday. Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar echoed this stance. He promised that the state will block any project that lacks the full support and consensus of local residents.
Comments