Not possible to completely stop illegal coal mining without providing alternative livelihood to workers: Conrad Sangma

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said that without making alternative livelihood for the coal mining workers it is not possible for the state government to completely stop the illegal coal mining .

The Chief Minister said that there are different laws to take action against the people who are now involved in illegal activities of coal mining.

“Actions have been taken and thousands of cases have been registered. Chargesheets were filed against a large number of people found involved in illegal coal mining.


People engaged themselves in this form of coal mining for the last 200 years and their livelihood has been based around that and unless and until alternative livelihoods are not arranged for the workers, people would keep themselves in this form of coal mining,” Sangma told the media.

He said “we are happy to see that now the legal mining process is going to start and we will have scientific coal mining.”

The Chief Minister said that the government is trying to come forward with alternative livelihood schemes for the existing coal mining workers in the tourism, agriculture and related other sectors so that such illegal mining can be stopped entirely.

Regarding the use of drone technology, the Chief Minister said it is more complicated because areas are huge.

To use the drone technology, we have to require at least 100 drones, the Chief Minister said, adding that the administrations have used drone technology already in the past to map the stock of the coal whether the coal stock is legal or illegal but this has to be done on a regular basis.

However, the government is looking into all options, he said.

The Meghalaya government has already undertaken the process of scientific mining of coal and to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the people and earn revenue for the state's exchequer.

The Union Coal Ministry in April provided approval for mining lease to four applicants of the 17 prospecting licence applicants.

He said that the income generated from the mining sector will be invested in the education and healthcare sectors for the socio-economic prosperity of the state.

In April 2014, illegal coal mining, including the more dangerous practice of rat-hole mining, was banned in Meghalaya by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) .