SHILLONG, Oct 24: Small-time stone miners engaged in manual quarrying for domestic consumption may soon get relief, with the state government set to place a revised proposal before the Cabinet.
The assurance came after the Joint Action Committee of Stone Crushers Owners Association and Workers Association met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who heads the government-constituted committee on quarrying on Friday.
JAC Adviser Moskalender Marngar said the committee, formed two years ago, is now revising the earlier amendment that had been rejected by the Centre.
“Two years ago the Government had constituted a committee headed by the Deputy Chief Minister. Today we met him to follow up on the issues of small miners,” Marngar said.
He said the JAC had recently held a public meeting at Umphyrnai where traditional quarry workers highlighted their plight.
“These are small-time miners who have been surviving by breaking stones with their hands since the past. Their work is only to meet the local requirements of the people of Meghalaya and not for export to outside the state or to Bangladesh,” Marngar said.
He stressed that the JAC is not seeking leeway for large operators.
“Our association is only for regularisation of small-time miners. Big operators have to apply for proper licences,” he clarified.
On the outcome of Friday’s meeting, Marngar said the earlier attempt to provide special provisions for small miners could not be implemented due to objections from the Centre.
“There was a revision and an amendment for small miners, but certain clauses were rejected by the Centre. Now the Deputy Chief Minister has re-prepared that part,” he said.
“The proposal will be taken to the Cabinet and we will then see if it can be implemented for the public,” Marngar added, terming the meeting as positive.
The JAC said it is hopeful that the revised norms will secure the livelihood of hundreds of families dependent on small-scale quarrying across the state.
