Meghalaya yet to give permission for uranium mining

Shillong, Nov 12 (UNI) The Meghalaya government is yet to give permission to mine uranium in West Khasi Hills district, state's Mining and Geology Minister Donkupar Massar today said.

'' There is no decision to accord permission, or grant mining lease for uranium '', Mr Massar informed while replying to the unstarred question asked by Opposition legislator Prof. RC Laloo of the Congress.

Yesterday, the All-Party Committee on uranium mining has accepted the report of expert committee on health hazard submitted to the government.

The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) had proposed Rs 1046 crore open-cast uranium mining and processing plant at Mawthabah in West Khasi Hills district of the state, which has an estimated deposit of 9.22 million tonnes of uranium ore.

Despite all commitment, the UCIL failed to drum up support for the project, with several NGOs and anti-mining civil and human rights groups opposing it, citing human safety and environmental hazard due to radiation.

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