Meghalaya Government Challan System Not Acceptable: Sand, Stone Businesses

A Reporter

SHILLONG: Labourers including owners of sand and stone crushers of the Nongkrem area have unanimously decided not to accept the State Government challan for transportation of local sand and stones within the State as per the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016. The decision was taken at an urgent meeting held at Umphyrnai on Monday that was convened by the Hima Khyrim and Mylliem Lum Local Truck Owner and Driver Association.

Informing that on October 27, vehicles carrying sand and stones coming from Nongkren, Pomlakrai, Umphynai areas and others were asked by the officials of the Forest department to return back after they failed to produce the government challan, president of the Hima Khyrim and Mylliem Lum Local Truck Owner and Driver Association, Egenstar Kurkalang said, “The people in local sand and stones businesses within the local areas and the State will not accept this challan system imposed by the State Government,” he said.

He further said that the association will soon meet the State Government on this matter to demand amendment of the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016.

“We understand that the government wants to fully implement the provision of Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016 but this will bring great suffering to the poor people and petty manual stone and sand miners who don’t use big machineries and are doing their business in not more than 5,000 sq feet of land,” he added.

He also said that the poor uneducated people in this business also do not understand how to apply for the Mining Lease or Quarry Permit and at the same time are confused about the leasing procedure.