Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 341/14

CM CONVENES MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO DISCUSS RAT HOLE MINING

Shillong, August 29, 2014: The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma, today convened a meeting at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong, with all the MLAs, MDCs and representatives of Associations of coal mine owners/coal exporters/coal suppliers and other stakeholders in the State to discuss the issues emanating from the Orders passed by the National Green Tribunal in O.A. No. 73/2014 and M.A. No. 174/2014 in the matter of All Dimasa Students Union Dima Hasao District Committee-vrs-State of Meghalaya and Others.

After the opinions and views aired by the various stakeholders, the Chief Minister in his address, said that the State Government has been actively engaged in dealing with the fallout of the ban on coal mining in the State and coal transportation by the National Green Tribunal which has affected the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of people directly or indirectly involved in coal mining activities and more so on the Government. He also said that our indigenous tribal land owners of the State have been carrying on coal mining activities as per the customary rights and practices of our tribal people but the Central laws have come into conflict with the customary laws of our State. But, the State Government, after exhaustive engagement with the stakeholders, have framed measures to facilitate systematic and scientific utilization of mineral resources and notified the Meghalaya Mines and Mineral Policy, 2012. However, in the implementation of aforesaid Policy, certain provisions of certain Central Laws have come on the way, he said. In view of these, the State Government have taken up this issue in order to protect the interest of our indigenous people with the then Hon’ble Prime Minister in May, 2014 and again with the present Hon’ble Prime Minister in July, 2014 for invoking paragraph 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution so that application of the above Central Laws relating to mining in the State may be rescinded through Presidential Notification.

The Chief Minister also said that necessary measures to comply with the directives of the National Green Tribunal have been taken by the State Government so as to enable lifting of the ban on both transportation of the coal extracted and mining rights of coal in the State can be achieved. Further, as per the Order of the National Green Tribunal, the State Government has submitted the Mining Plan, Health Plan etc. to the Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. However, he reiterated that in order to restore the rights of our people over their coal mines as per the customary rights and to enable to get clearances in respect of various statutory laws for coal mining, invoking of para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to exempt the application of relevant Central Laws by rescinding through Presidential Notification need to be aggressively followed up with the Government of India. He urge upon all concerned citizens and leaders of various political parties and stakeholders to make a concerted effort to prevail upon the Government of India on this issue and assures the people that all necessary measures will be taken to protect the interest of our indigenous people and create a right format to enable our people realize the benefit out of our natural resources while taking stringent measures to protect and preserve the environment. While supporting the suggestion put forward by Mr. J F Kharshiing about the formation of Committee involving stakeholders, the Chief Minister said that the Government will look into the possibility of setting up of two committees which will include officials from the Government and the stakeholders.

Before the interaction, the Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. P B O Warjri, in his speech, gave a summary of the action plan taken by the Government to ensure transportation of coal already extracted at the earliest and also the action taken with the respective Ministries of the Government of India on issues relating to environment and coal mining clearance. Stating that the government is taking steps to protect the affected people and those engaged with coal mining peripheral activities, the Chief Secretary said that the Government has instructed all Deputy Commissioners to assess the impact of NGT orders on the livelihood and to suggest suitable measures to provide employment opportunities from various programmes of the State government. The Principal Secretary, Mining & Geology, Mr. Y Tshering gave a brief outline about the aim of the meeting and also spoke about the steps taken by the Government in pursuing the directives laid down by the NGT. Mr. Tshering also informed the public that during 2013-14, coal mining generates revenue for the State amounting to Rs. 328 crores which is being shared by the State Government and the Autonomous District Councils at the ratio of 3:1. He also informed that the assessment of coal already extracted could not be completed in West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills Districts due to inclement weather. He expressed hoped that these reports can be submitted in time to the concerned authorities so that transportation of coal could be lifted at the earliest. Earlier, the representatives appraised the Government that the blanket ban on coal mining has affected the people from all walks of life who are directly or indirectly involved in mining activities. They said that most of the people in the coal belt areas were farmers who were engaged in jhum cultivation before taking up coal mining. They expressed concern that banning the coal mining will force them to go back to jhum cultivation, an occupation which proves to be detrimental to the environment. Therefore, they urged the Government to speed up the process of assessment of extracted coal to enable them to transport the same and to find an amicable solution to continue coal mining in the State. They also urged the government to examine the possibility of providing employment and rehabilitation to the affected people so that they can earn a livelihood.

The representatives also assured the Government that while engaging in coal mining activities, the safety of the workers and the environment will be taken into consideration and in accordance with the norms and regulations laid down. They expressed hope that the Government will pay attention to their problems and take necessary steps to implement the mining policy at the earliest.

It may be mentioned that the meeting were represented by Sonny L Khyriem Chairman, Meghalaya Mine Owners & Exporters Association, K Marak, James Sohbar, President Coal Dealers Association, J C Diengngan from South West Khasi Hills, Abdul Kalam Hussain from the Goalpara Coal Truck Owners Association and B Swer of the Jaintia Coal Miners & Dealers Association. The District Councils were represented by K P Pangniang, EM of KHADC, A Sangma, CEM, GHADC and T Shiwat, CEM, JHADC besides representatives of other stakeholders. Others who spoke on the occasion were Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Rowell Lyngdoh, Mr. Witting Mawsor, MLA, Mr. M M Danggo, MLA and Mr. John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board.

Press Release No. 342/14

NATIONAL CONSULTATION WORKSHOP ON INDUSTRY CAREER CENTRE

Shillong, August 29, 2014: “Employment and Employability Delivery Systems in the State of Meghalaya are being improved through the setting up of Government ITIs, and the implementation of Innovative Skill Development Programmes”, said Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh Meghalaya Minister for Labour while speaking at the National Consultation Workshop on Industry Career Centre – ITI Collaboration held today at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

It may be mentioned that the objective of the workshop is to enhance employment and employability together with catalyzing entrepreneurship through career counseling and vocational training. The day long workshop dwelt on issues relating to enhancement of employment opportunity of the youth. It also aims to transform the employment exchanges into career centres and re-orienting the vocational training to more effectively meet the skill needs of the industry which have been set as the key objectives in this direction. The programme was organized by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.

In her speech at the workshop, Dr. Lyngdoh underscored that youth employment is high priority agenda for our nation which can happen only if we equip our young people with skills that are required to meet the demands of the market. Stating that during the first two financial years of the 12th Five Year Plan Period about 12245 youth has been covered by the State Labour Department under various skill development programmes for their gainful employment, she said that there is a felt need to replace the existing obsolete trades by demand driven trades in various ITIs in the state.

With this in view, Dr. Lyngdoh informed that the Mechanic, Motor Vehicle Section of government ITI, Shillong is being upgraded into a World Class Automobile Section in collaboration with Tata Motors Limited and the same will be commissioned later this year. Pointing out that the Ministry of Labour, Government of India will be assisting the states in developing one Model ITI, Dr. Lyngdoh said that the state government has identified one government ITI at Tura for the purpose and she assures that best efforts will be put in by all the stakeholders to ensure success of the project.

While requesting the Union Minister of Labour to consider for sanction and release of funds for the two new ITI at Khliehriat and Mawkyrwat for which proposal has already been submitted, Dr. Lyngdoh said that there is a felt need to expand the network of ITIs in the state.

Press Release No. 346/14

APPOINTMENT OF INTERLOCUTOR

Shillong, August 29, 2014: The State Government appreciates the positive response of HNLC to the call of the State Government to all militant/insurgent organizations to come overground, avail the rehabilitation package for all the cadres, which would include counseling, handholding, sustainable livelihood, join the mainstream and effectively engage in ushering sustained peace and progress in the State and the region.

The Government is now initiating the process for carrying forward this opportunity to its logical conclusion and measures for appointment of an interlocutor for the purpose will now be taken.

It is now expected that HNLC will now restrain from any action contrary to the law or any illegal activities and desist from further recruitment in order to create a conducive environment to carry forward the objective of achieving much needed peace, progress and prosperity of our State.