Khasi chiefdom to decide on Uranium mining in Meghalaya

Shillong, May 13 (UNI) A Khasi traditional body has called for a public hearing to decide whether to allow the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to mine uranium in Mizoram.

The Khasi traditional bodies function under the sixth schedule of the Constitution and are vested with power through the district councils to control over their own land unlike in other parts of the country, where land wholly belongs to the government.

Acting chief of the body "Langrin" Plasterwell Syiemiong said he had received a letter from the UCIL seeking an NOC to mine natural uranium at PhodKylleng-Pyndengsohiong-Mawthabah.

The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) had proposed to develop an open-cast mining at Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong Uranium ore and processing project at the Mawthabah in state's West Khasi Hills district. The uranium ore deposits there have an average grade of 0.085 per cent.

'' As I cannot decide this alone, I will convene an emergent public meeting at Langrin to decide whether this NOC should be given or not to the UCIL. All the people who have anything to say about this would have a chance to air their views and decide, '' Mr Syiemiong told UNI here today.

'' In case, people give the seal of approval, the meeting would work out an MoU to bind the company to certain conditions, '' the Langrin Chief said.

He said the conditions are that the local people would get employment, while socio-economic projects and health and environment safeguards would be maintanied.

The agreement should be signed not only with the UCIL but be guaranteed by the District Council, state and Union Government, Mr Syiemiong asserted.

He further said the decision of the meeting would also be taken during the public hearing organised by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) at Nongbah Jynrin village on June 12 to get the public views, suggestions or objections on the proposed uranium project.

In February last, the UCIL had submitted its application to the state government for mining natural uranium in the state.

The UCIL had submitted four sets of documents, including white paper, executive summary on environment, detailed project report and a mining lease to the government and MPSCB.

The project estimated at a cost of Rs 814 crore was strongly opposed by the Hills State People's Democratic Party and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement, the allies of the Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, the Khasi Student's Union, Meghalaya People's Human Rights Council and Langrin Youth Welfare Association.

The anti-mining groups opposed mining of uranium in the state fearing health and environment hazards in the state.

However, a senior UCIL geologist said the UCIL had also adopted an environmental plan for effluent treatment of waste rock.

UNI