Shillong, May 1: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday announced that the National People’s Party (NPP) – led MDA government has received approval for mining lease for four miners, allowing scientific mining to begin within the next 60 days. Sangma emphasized that the NPP government has been working hard to open up mining in the state, and that the approval was a result of their efforts.
He said the government filed a case in 2019 to lift the ban on mining that was put in place by NGT, and the Supreme Court has since asked the Government of Meghalaya and India to work on different mining plans and leases to allow proper scientific mining to take place. “The day has finally come, and we are excited to announce that the Government of India has approved the mining lease for four miners. Government of India is now under the process and Government of Meghalaya is now under the process to do the final paperwork for the scientific mining to start and within a matter of 60 days from now, scientific mining process will start in the state,” the NPP national president said.
Addressing a huge gathering in Sohiong to seek support for party candidate Samlin Malngiang for the May 10 Assembly election, Sangma also highlighted the NPP’s commitment to positive and developmental politics. He stated that the Western bypass project, a more than Rs. 800 crore project, was initiated by the NPP and will transform the lives of people in the area. “Almost 80% of the Western Bypass will go from this constituency. Can you imagine the lives that will change, the employment that will be generated, the tourism that will develop, the farmers who will be benefited? This is the developmental politics of the National People’s Party,” he reasoned.
The Chief Minister also addressed concerns about education and healthcare facilities in the area, promising to take these issues forward in collaboration with the local MLA. Sangma emphasized the NPP’s commitment to uniting people and promoting positive politics.
“I know that you have problem of school out here, I assure you, I assure you that as we move forward, the demands that have been mentioned out here today, whether it is regarding different health facilities, regarding different educational facilities, I cannot promise during election campaign as you know… but I can tell you that these are all agendas that I have discussed with your local MLA and we will take this forward,” he said.
