Meghalaya seeks greater powers over coal mining approvals, CM Conrad Sangma raises issue with Centre

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on July 7, urged the Centre to delegate powers to the state for approving coal mining plans and granting related clearances, arguing that the existing regulatory framework does not adequately address Meghalaya's unique land ownership and mining patterns.
 

During a meeting with Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy in New Delhi, Sangma sought the delegation of powers under Section 26 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which would enable the state government to approve mining plans for coal extraction.
 

According to the Chief Minister, such a move would allow thousands of small tribal coal owners in Meghalaya to obtain mining leases and statutory approvals at the state level. He said the demand stems from the state's distinctive constitutional and land tenure framework, under which, as a Sixth Schedule state, ownership of land and the minerals beneath it rests with individuals, clans and communities rather than the state government.
 

Sangma also argued that Meghalaya's coal reserves are dispersed across small landholdings, making the large mining block model followed in many other states unsuitable. He said the 2014 ban on rat-hole mining had affected the livelihoods of thousands of families while also reducing state revenue.
 

The Chief Minister further sought a review of the 2021 Standard Operating Procedure governing coal mining, particularly the requirement of a minimum mining lease area of 100 hectares. He contended that the threshold effectively excludes most genuine small-scale coal owners in Meghalaya from obtaining legal mining leases.
 

Sangma submitted a detailed memorandum to the Union minister outlining the state's demands and requested that the Centre delegate the necessary powers to Meghalaya.
 

During the meeting, Kishan Reddy proposed the constitution of a committee to examine the issues raised by the state government. Sangma welcomed the proposal, and the committee is expected to be constituted in the coming days to study the matter.