SHILLONG: Meghalaya Government has sanctioned the medical bills for the two activists-Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma, who were brutally assaulted in East Jaintia Hills while probing the illegal extraction and transportation of coal in the area.
Replying to a Zero Hour notice moved by Mawlai MLA, PT Sawkmie who expressed concern over the attack on two activists, Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said that the medical bills for the two activists-Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma had been sanctioned.
As far as the Supreme Court’s recent directive to the Meghalaya government to deposit the Rs 100 crore fine imposed on it he said that the State Government had already written to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), after which the control Board would submit a proposal and Government would accordingly deposit the money.
Informing that Meghalaya has 476 million tonnes of coal reserve, he said that there was nothing to worry and the royalty will be shared between the State Government and the District Councils without any disturbances.
He also said that as per the Supreme Court ruling, coal mining could be done in the state as per the MMDR and other Acts even as he added that the Government would soon lay down procedures for scientific mining in the state.
Earlier, PT Sawkmie said that the economy of the state had been hit following the ban imposed on coal mining while stressing on the need to protect the environment.
He also said that the Supreme Court order on lifting the ban on coal mining does not say anything about the District Councils and maintained that the Districts Councils will lose control over the land.