Congress stands unchanged on Uranium in Meghalaya

Shillong, July 19 (UNI) Former Meghalaya Chief Minister and Opposition Congress leader, DD Lapang today said that the party's stand on uranium mining in the state remained unchanged.

The Congress has been favourably inclined towards uranium mining in Meghalaya.

"The party has taken a principled stand on uranium mining and it will abide by that decision," Mr Lapand said.

The Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) government yesterday constituted three other committees to study the prospects of uranium mining in Meghalaya.

''Members of the all-Party Committee have decided to constitute independent expert groups to study issues related to possible radiation and health hazards from uranium mining,'' Chief Minister Donkupar Roy said after the all-party meeting.

However, some smaller regional political parties and constituents of the MPA government are opposed to uranium mining citing health hazard and other reasons.

''The credibility of Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL) is doubtful,'' Urban Affairs minister and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement party president Paul Lyngdoh, a known opponent of uranium mining, said after the meeting.

Deputy Chief Minister and Hill State People's Democratic Party president, Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, another opponent, said he would oppose uranium mining if it was meant for making bombs and if radiation was not controlled.

Interestingly, the lone opposition Congress member nominated for the all-party committee stayed away from its first meeting.

Mr Lapang said it was for the all-party committee to make recommendations to the MPA government to work on.

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