SME Times News Bureau | 20 Feb, 2018
Meghalaya's opposition National
People's Party (NPP) on Tuesday accused the Mukul Sangma government for
failing to take up the issue of coal mining with the Central government
post the National Green Tribunal ban.
"People in Meghalaya
largely depend on coal directly or indirectly but the Chief Minister has
failed to ensure that mining is in the interest of the people," NPP
chief Conrad K. Sangma said at an election rally in West Khasi Hills
district.
He said that he had raised the issue in the Parliament
several times and with the Central government because he was "really
concerned for our people and their livelihood" but it was "surprising
that the state government under the leadership of Mukul Sangma failed to
take up the issue with the centre".
He opined that Mukul Sangma
had an "ulterior motive" and the people of Jaintia Hills have realised
it and branded the Meghalaya Mining Development Corporation (MMDC) as
"Mukul Mining Dikkanchi Corporation", as the Chief Minister tried all
effort to force the people to sign an agreement with MMDC.
He
said that the Central government had asked Meghalaya to draft a mining
policy but Mukul Sangma has failed the people "because he has no
vision".
"NPP has a political will but no political power, if
the people give their mandate, NPP would ensure that mining starts again
in the state," Conrad Sangma said while specifying that mining is a
thrust area as NPP believes in scientific approach to coal mining.
He
also promised a slew of development initiatives for a new and resurgent
Meghalaya, while claiming that the people had enough of Congress.
