Assam: Residents, businessmen protest coal closure reveals dependency in Margherita

Local Residents, business Community, traders and coal mining employees of NEC CIL Margherita, Assam on Monday, staged a protest in front of NEC CIL Margherita office in protest against the sudden temporarily suspension of all mining operations of NEC CIL Margherita from 3rd June while liquidation of present coal-stock will continue till existing coal stock is exhausted.

More than 300 people gathered at in front of the gate of NEC CIL Margherita office and shouted various slogans against the BJP led Government both at the Centre and State for sudden decision to stop coal mining operations. The present people said that Coal operations started since British Era at Margherita Subdivision but the sudden decision has made upset to each and every citizen of Margherita Subdivision and Assam also.

Margherita Economic is mainly based on NEC CIL Margherita where all citizens are directly dependent on it. The stakeholders claim that "if NEC CIL gets shut down then all people of Margherita have to go other State for there daily bread and butter".

Also read: Dehing Patkai: Chronological mapping of coal mines reveal degradation

"NEC CIL Margherita contributed Rs 100 Crore to Exchequer of Assam and Rs 10 Crore to CSR activities of Margherita Sub and its surrounding areas", said a local businessman of Margherita.

Protest programme shall continue at Margherita till than decision to suspend of mining operations at NEC CIL Margherita get withdrew by Coal India Limited said one of the present protesters. A memorandum was given to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal through Margherita SDO(Civil).

Amid the environmental concerns, the local economy is dependent on coal and as such the govt should look for other alternatives before stopping the fossil fuel induced energy production in Assam. As per sources, 10,000 locals jobs are at stake.

However, this doesn't substitute the fact that coal has significantly altered the ecology of the region amid its contribution in Assam. As such, diversification of industry in the region along with the gradual withdrawal should have been done instead of abrupt removal. The order will also not cater to reports of illegal mining which is creating the menace in the region.

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