Meghalaya State Planning Board favours moving SC against National Green Tribunal on coal ban

Shillong, Aug 29: The State Planning Board on Wednesday suggested to the State Government that it should petition the Supreme Court with regards to the National Green Tribunal ban on coal mining in Meghalaya.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Chairman of State Planning Board, Lambor Malngiang said that the meeting with different departments of the Government suggested that the State Government should approach the Apex Court to partially lift the ban on coal mining and on felling of timber in Meghalaya, as a special consideration.

“This was urgently required as the tribal people of Meghalaya solely depend on coal and timber for earning their livelihood,” Malgniang said.

He said that there should be special consideration to allow coal mining and felling of trees which would be used only for local consumption and domestic purposes.

The Planning Board Chairman also said that the meeting expressed deep concern over the non-payment of salary to SSA teachers for the last five month.

The meeting also suggested that link roads should be construct in and around Shillong city for easing the vexed issue of traffic congestion.

According to Malgniang, the meeting of the Planning Board discussed the the proposed construction of link roads from Eastern Air Command in Upper Shillong (7th mile) towards the Shillong View Point, from Laitkor to Laitlyngot and Umlyngka to Cantonment area and Sawlad to Umpling.