Shillong, Oct 13: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said pilot projects for closure of coal mines in the state are under process and clearances are expected soon.
“Let me assure everyone that closure of mines, fencing maybe not but closure of mines, the pilot projects are under process. We expect that very soon we should be able to get the clearances for that and very soon we should be able to move forward,” Sangma said.
He was responding to queries on the recent interim report submitted by Justice B P Katakey on coal mining.
The Chief Minister, however, said he is yet to examine the exact report.
“I don’t know about the exact report and it will not be correct for me to reply to that, maybe I will reply next time when I have a better report on it,” he said.
On the issue of fund utilization, Sangma said the process under the Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund (MEPRF) is on, but procedures prescribed by the Centre and the Court have complicated matters.
“The process of utilization of funds through MEPRF is on but the Government of India and Court have put in certain procedures we have to follow to utilize that. That is obviously making things slightly more complicated for us,” he said.
Asked about the 13 lakh metric tonnes of coal mentioned in the report, he said, “To reply specifically to your question about the 13 lakh metric ton, I will need to get some more data.”
Also Read: Assembly can’t suspend MLA, it’s party’s call: Speaker on VPP allegation
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
The post Mine closure pilot projects under process, clearances soon: Meghalaya CM on Katakey report appeared first on Hub News.