MIPRL threatens to expose Pala

FROM A REPORTER

SHILLONG, April 26: Movement of Indigenous Peoples Rights and Livelihood threatened to expose the alleged lies made by the Congress MP from Shillong Vincent H Pala in relation to the passing of the amendment of the Mines and Minerals Bill 2015 by the two Houses of Parliament.

“We are coming concrete evident on the matter,” MIPRL chairman Erwin K Sutnga told newsmen after a meeting.

Pala had earlier claimed that the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha has adopted an amendment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill 2015, giving statutory concessions for mining by tribal’s of fifth and sixth schedule areas including Meghalaya.

Sutnga however said, “We also have got a copy of the Bill which was passed by both the Houses of Parliament.”

When asked, the chairman refused to elaborate on the ‘evidences’ against the alleged claims made by Pala.

Sutnga said,We will put this issue in the right perspective likely by this week for people of Meghalaya to know the correct position,”

MIPRL informed that on the NGT’s ban on coal mining in Meghalaya for past one year, they have raised this issue before the BJP tiol president Amit Shah, who visited the state recently.

“We had sought the intervention of the BJP chief to arrange an appointment with the Prime Minister rendra Modi,” Sutnga said adding “Shah had given us a patience hearing and assured the delegation that he would go in-depth into our memorandum.”

Sutnga said that a delegation of the movement would soon go to Delhi on the matter, the MIPRL leader said, “We would definitely make our voice heard in the tiol capital on this issue.”

According to him, the state government has totally failed to bring in an altertive solution to resolve the livelihood crisis that hit the people arising out of the ban on coal mining in the state.

“If you stop people from mining activity, there should be altertive plan which is absolutely not there till today,” he said.

Earlier, the NGT in its recent order has directed the state government to come up with a Mining Plan and Mining Policy within a period of six weeks.

On this, the MIRPL chairman categorically stated that it is impossible for the state government to complete framing of the Mining plan and policy within the stipulated time frame.