Shillong, July 7: The Centre has agreed to constitute a joint committee to examine Meghalaya's proposal for reviving small-scale coal mining under a regulated legal framework, following a meeting between Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy in New Delhi.
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| Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma meets Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy in New Delhi to discuss the revival of small-scale coal mining under a regulated legal framework. (Image: X/SangmaConrad) |
Sharing details of the meeting, Sangma said the issue is of great importance to thousands of families living in Meghalaya's coal-bearing regions, whose livelihoods have been affected by restrictions on mining activities.
The Chief Minister urged the Union Government to empower Meghalaya to regulate and oversee small-scale coal mining, pointing out that the state enjoys a unique constitutional status under the Sixth Schedule, where ownership of land and the minerals beneath it rests with individuals, clans and local communities.
"Meghalaya is a Sixth Schedule State, where the land and the minerals beneath it belong to our people, our clans and our communities," Sangma said.
He proposed that small-scale coal mining be allowed under strict government regulation and supervision to ensure safety, eliminate illegal mining, and restore sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
According to Sangma, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy gave the proposal a patient hearing and suggested the formation of a committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Coal and Mines and the Government of Meghalaya to examine the matter in detail.
"I warmly welcome this, and the committee will be formed soon," the Chief Minister said, expressing gratitude to the Union Minister for engaging with the state's concerns.
The proposed committee is expected to explore legal and administrative mechanisms that would enable lawful small-scale coal mining while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards.
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Sangma reiterated that the objective is not only to revive the local economy but also to replace illegal mining with a transparent, regulated system that protects workers and benefits local communities.
The Chief Minister was accompanied during the meeting by Santa Mary Shylla, MLA from Sutnga-Saipung.
Coal mining has remained a sensitive issue in Meghalaya since restrictions were imposed over concerns relating to environmental protection, unsafe mining practices and illegal extraction. The State Government has consistently advocated for a regulated framework that balances environmental safeguards with the livelihood needs of people in the coal-producing areas.
