PN Syiem seeks clarification from government on mining lease

FROM A CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG, March 14: The issue of unique land tenure system in Meghalaya was discussed on Tuesday during the Budget Session of the Meghalaya Assembly. The House also discussed whether the Government was a competent authority to sign a mining lease. It may be mentioned that in Meghalaya, the government has no authority on the land belonging to the people, clans or communities.  Taking up this issue during the Question Hour on Tuesday, suspended Congress legislator from Mawsynram, Pynshngain N Syiem asked the State government how it can follow the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015 when it knows that the state’s land holding system was unique.
Syiem also urged the State government to write to the Centre explaining to it the distinctive ture of the land tenure system in Meghalaya.
The suspended Congress legislator also wanted to know how the State government and the autonomous district councils in Meghalaya are collecting and sharing royalty on minerals when the land do not belong to them. 
Earlier, United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator from Sohra, Titosstarwell Chyne asked whether there is a last date prescribed by the Central Government for issue of Mining Lease under Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Rules.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma informed that there is no last date for obtaining Mining Lease under MMDR Act.
“However, with the coming of the new MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, all the applicants who has been issued Letter of Intent (LOI) and falling under the saving clause of Section 10 A (2) (c) of Amendment Act have to obtain Mining Lease, execute and registered on or before January 11, 2017,” Dr Sangma informed the House.