Question : Ban on Mining of Coal

(a) whether the banning of mining of coal in some States has affected the livelihood of mine owners, truck owners, coal workers and people of other section associated with it, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has received any representations from the State Governments and other bodies with regard to the impact of the said ban on affected parties and theeconomy, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government for rehabilitation of affected parties and regulating the said ban so that the economy of the concerned regions is not adversely affected?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER , NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (c) : The National Green Tribunal vide its order dated 17.4.2014 in OA no. 73/2014 and MA no. 174/2014 titled All Dimasa Students Union Hasao Dist. Committee vs. State of Meghalaya &ors, directed the Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya and the Director General of Police, State of Meghalaya to ensure that rat-hole mining/illegal mining is stopped forthwith throughout the State of Meghalaya and any illegal transport of coal shall not take place until further orders passed by the Tribunal.

National Green Tribunal in its order dated 29.09.2015 in OA no. 110(THC) of 2012 and OA no. 73, 13 &186 of 2014 has directed Secretary(Coal) to examine the draft guidelines submitted by Govt. of Meghalaya expeditiously and hold a meeting with the Chief Secretary of the State of Meghalaya in order to finalize the guidelines at the earliest.

In pursuance thereto a meeting was convened by Secretary(Coal) with Addl. Chief Secretary, Meghalaya, JS(NE), MHA on 01.12.2015 wherein following decision was taken:-
“The guidelines submitted by the Govt. of Meghalaya were not in conformity with the existing statutory provisions of MMDR Act, 1957. Hence the State Govt. of Meghalaya may reframe the guideline in conformity with MMDR Act, 1957 and submit.”
The revised proposal from Government of Meghalaya has just been received on 28.07.2016.
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