Meghalaya on Monday initiated the scientific mining of coal after more than a decade of a ban on rat-hole mining imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the first scientific coal mining block at ‘Saryngkham-A’ at Byndihati in East Jaintia Hills district through video conferencing. It was in April 2014 when the NGT had banned rat-hole coal mining following a petition filed by a student group in adjoining Dima Hasao district of Assam, claiming river acidification due to mining.
Addressing a gathering, Sangma congratulated stakeholders, including officials, mine owners, other mining lease applicants and the owner of this particular mining lease, Dapmain Shylla of Byndihati, who all contributed in making scientific mining in the state a reality.
He said the last 10 to 11 years have been one of the most difficult periods for a lot of citizens, especially those who are directly and indirectly connected with the coal industry, as they went through great financial hardships.