Meghalaya government to allow mining activities from May 4

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government on Friday decided to allow activities in certain areas after the end of the national lockdown on May 3.

After a review, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters that the government has allowed mining activities from May 4.

"Mining activities duly licenced by the government will resume activities. This includes both major and minor minerals," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

Tynsong said that mining of major mineral like limestone and minor ones like sand can start.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister also informed that the review meeting also decided to allow inter-State movement of public transport to ferry people from one green zone to another from May 4.

"This may be allowed except for Shillong agglomeration where restriction is still there," he said.

It may be pointed out that Shillong agglomeration has recorded 12 COVID-19 cases out of which one succumbed to the virus.

Tynsong however pointed out that the respective Deputy Commissioners and District Transport Officers have been instructed to work out modalities on the movement of these public transports.

"But these will not function in full strength but only 25 per cent is allowed and the system will be worked out by the Deputy Commissioners and District Transport Officers," he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister also said that the government has allowed the reopening of Export Promotion Industrial Parks (EPIP) at Byrnihat, Umroi Industrial Estate and other industrial units in West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills from May 4.

On the reopening of cement plants in the state, Tynsong informed that the government had asked the respective companies to submit details of their working plan like bringing of materials and how many trucks they would need in a day or week.

"…so that the government can streamline the movement. We are waiting for the details and once we received them from the cement companies decisions will be taken accordingly," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

Tynsong also said that the decisions were taken provided on conditions that standard operating procedure has to be maintained as prescribed by the health department, failing which the government has to close them down.

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