Farmers oppose PIL filed by MAA

Shillong, Aug 21 (UNI) The PIL filed by Meghalaya Adventurers Association (MAA) against mining activities in the state have triggered widespread concern and fear that a blanket ban on mining activities could render around 60,000 people jobless in the state.

Opposing the PIL filed by MAA the Hill Farmers Association (HFA), in a release issued here today, maintained that if the Apex court ban mining of limestone's and coal in the state for the sake of saving the cave system and its preservation the ramification would be grievous.

Mining of limestone and coal by traditional methods had been in vogue before the advent of British during early part of 19th century even as the mining policy of the Union Government have undergone sweeping changes with the introduction of the Coal Mines Act.

The State of Meghalaya has been left outside the purview of the Act at the behest of Late Prof. G.G.Swell the then Lok Shaba M.P.

from Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

The HFA claim ''Prof Swell had known that thousands of people in the state are involved in coal mining and related activities and introduction of the Act would adversely affect with no sufficient means of livelihood as an alternative to suffice as a means of sustenance''.

It has been pointed out that people in the rural areas are farmers and they supplement their income by direct and indirect employment in mining and mining related activities and a ban on mining in the State would impoverish thousands of families in the rural areas of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills.

The statement have also cautioned the J.D.Rymbai Government to take up the issue very seriously and resolved to mobilize public opinion against the PIL through rallies in different parts of the state.

The members of the HFA also opined that it would contest in the Court against the PIL and would not yield to wishful thinking of a small group of individuals.

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