KHADC to Push for Amendment in Mining Rules to Support Small Miners

Shillong, Mar 27: The Voice of the People Party (VPP)-led Executive Committee (EC) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today assured to pressurize the state government on the need to bring the necessary amendment to the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules (MMMCR), 2016 to address the problems faced by small-time miners, who are practising traditional mining in Meghalaya.

“I assure the house that EC will try to find out ways and means especially on how to put pressure on the state government to bring necessary amendments to address the problems faced by small-time miners and also to ensure that such mining activities do not affect the environment,” KHADC chief Shemborlang Rynjah said while replying to a motion moved by Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne.

He said that the EC will also submit its suggestions on the matter.

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“The council had earlier suggested the need to include the word ‘traditional mining’ in the MMMCR, 2016 which I feel is very important,” Rynjah said adding, “I feel there will be more destruction caused to the environment through the use of heavy machinery but traditional mining is something which will not only slow down the environmental degradation, it also gives a lot of employment opportunities to the people.”

He said that as per the rule, the role of the district council is just to issue the no-objection certificates.

(Newmai News Network)