SHILLONG, AUG 25: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said there is no blanket ban on stone and sand mining in the state and lawful quarrying is allowed with due clearances.
Replying to VPP chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit’s demand to lift ban on stone and sand mining, Sangma told the Assembly, “There is no blanket ban on stone mining or sand quarrying in Meghalaya. Lawful quarrying is fully permitted subject to a valid mining lease or quarry permit, Environmental Clearance, and compliance with forest, pollution-control and transport requirements.”
He said stone and sand are minor minerals under MMDR Act, 1957, regulated by Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016 and Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016.
The CM said the rules do not provide for small-scale or traditional mining and MoEFCC has made Environmental Clearance compulsory for minor minerals irrespective of lease size.
“A committee headed by the Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the rules and proposed exemption for traditional stone boulder mining from prior EC, but the Ministry did not accept it citing a Patna High Court judgment,” he said.
Sangma said his government fought for tribal landowners’ rights in 2019 and secured a landmark Supreme Court judgment recognising that private and community landowners possess both surface and sub-soil rights.
“This Government will continue taking up all issues with the Central government, the Courts and all others to find a sustainable solution,” he said, adding the government is balancing environment and livelihood through Payment for Ecosystem Services and spring-shed conservation programmes.
He thanked Basaiawmoit for moving the discussion and said the government remains committed to addressing grievances of miners.
