Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has stated that while the government takes immediate action whenever illegal coal mining or transportation is detected, imposing a sudden blanket ban is not simple, as thousands of families in Meghalaya depend on coal for their livelihood.
He said this is why the State has introduced scientific mining so that coal extraction can be carried out safely, legally and without harming the environment or endangering miners.
Conrad emphasised that the law must be followed, and whenever information on illegal activity is received, authorities shut down the mines and arrest those involved. However, he added that the long-term livelihoods of people who have relied on coal mining for generations must also be considered.
“We must understand their situation. Stopping their only source of income overnight is not easy,” he said, urging all stakeholders to acknowledge the complexities involved.
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