The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC), under its “Save Jaiñtia Mission 2024,” on March 17, formally submitted a memorandum to Rikman Momin, President of the Bharatiya Janata Party Meghalaya State Unit, urging immediate intervention for the formulation and implementation of a “Small-Scale Scientific Coal Mining Policy” tailored to the unique conditions of Meghalaya.
This memorandum comes in the backdrop of recent developments where the Hon’ble Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has effectively shifted the responsibility of resolving the coal mining policy issue to the Central Government. In light of this, the JNC has approached the BJP, which leads the Government of India, to take decisive policy action on this pressing matter affecting thousands of livelihoods in the Jaiñtia Hills region.
The JNC has specifically requested the Meghalaya BJP unit to “forward this memorandum to the Hon’ble Union Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Coal, Government of India”, for urgent consideration and necessary policy intervention.
The JNC strongly reiterates its demand for the removal or necessary amendment of the “100-hectare Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)” under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which is impractical and unsuitable for Meghalaya’s tribal landholding system. The Council calls for a policy framework that recognizes small ancestral landholdings and enables lawful, regulated mining practices for local communities.
A key highlight of the memorandum is the urgent need for a “comprehensive Geological Ground Survey” of coal-bearing areas in Meghalaya. The JNC emphasized that the hills of Jaiñtia possess highly unique geological characteristics, including thin coal seams (1–4 feet), discontinuous and irregular formations, and zigzag or wave-like patterns across hilly terrain. These conditions make conventional large-scale mining methods unsuitable and environmentally damaging. Therefore, a scientific survey is essential to determine safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible mining techniques appropriate for the region.
The JNC firmly advocates for a “scientifically regulated, environmentally responsible, and community-inclusive mining framework” that safeguards both nature and the livelihood rights of indigenous tribal landowners.
The memorandum was submitted by the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Jaiñtia National Council and was led by Sambormi Lyngdoh, President of JNC CEC, along with other senior members of the organization.
Meanwhile,Rikman Momin stated that the issue raised by the Jaiñtia National Council is “a very important and genuine matter,” and assured that he will take it up at the earliest with the BJP Meghalaya State Unit’s legal experts. He further conveyed that the matter will be pursued with the Central Government as soon as possible, and also informed that he will hold detailed meetings with the Council to deliberate on the issue.
The JNC expresses hope that under the leadership of the BJP state unit, the Central Government will take cognizance of this critical issue and initiate necessary steps towards policy formulation that reflects the ground realities of Meghalaya.
