SHILLONG: In a significant move to reform the coal mining sector, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Tuesday said that the Meghalaya government is in advanced discussions with the Centre to scrap the existing 100-hectare minimum land requirement for scientific mining.
The proposed change aims to enable small-scale local miners, who have long been excluded due to stringent land criteria, to participate in regulated and environmentally compliant mining activities.
Speaking to the media, Dhar said the state government has received numerous petitions from local miners who find the current land requirement “impossible” to meet.
“For over a year, the Chief Minister has been actively pursuing this matter with the Government of India. Our objective is to ensure that even those with smaller landholdings can engage in scientific mining, which is safer and aligned with modern environmental standards,” he said.
Addressing the recent mining tragedy that has shaken the state, the Deputy Chief Minister confirmed that a Judicial Inquiry Commission is under active consideration. He said a final decision on the composition and mandate of the probe would be taken after the Chief Minister’s return.
ALSO READ:
Meghalaya Illegal Coal Mine Blast: Death Toll Rises to 30 in East Jaintia Hills
Meghalaya HC Warns Officials, Orders Report on Illegal Mining in East Jaintia Hills Within 10 Days
Meghalaya Orders Judicial Probe, Launches Crackdown on Illegal Mining After Thangsko Mine Blast
Thangsko Mine Tragedy: Deputy CM Tynsong Hits Back at VPP Over Resignation Demand
Thangsko Mine Tragedy: MLA Adelbert Nongrum Demands Suspension of Top Officials
Dhar cautioned against politicising the tragedy and called for collective responsibility in addressing the root causes of illegal mining. He said the government has intensified its crackdown on rat-hole and unlawful mining practices, with district officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, continuing to monitor the situation on the ground.
Holding illegal operators responsible for the loss of lives, Dhar asserted that the government would no longer tolerate violations of mining laws.
“We will not allow anyone to function at their own whim or bypass the law. It is these illegal activities that lead to such heartbreaking tragedies. The government is committed to checking, balancing, and completely eradicating this menace,” he said.
He reaffirmed the state’s resolve to reform mining policies, strengthen enforcement, and ensure that legal, transparent, and safe mining practices become the norm in Meghalaya.
