Shillong, May 21 : The Meghalaya government has clarified that no decision has been taken on uranium mining in the state, despite the Union minister of state for power, Jairam Ramesh’s claim that it was in favour of a nuclear plant.
At a recent seminar, Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) officials claimed that the state was ready to go ahead with uranium mining. However, chief minister Donkupar Roy said the people were still debating on the merits and demerits of uranium mining and no government could go ahead with the mining unless the people of the state were convinced.
“As of now, no decision had been taken on uranium mining. There should be a consensus within the government and it has to be proved to the people that there are no health hazards involved in uranium mining,” the chief minister told this correspondent.
The deputy chief minister and Hill State Peoples’ Democratic Party (HSPDP) president, H.S. Lyngdoh, who is from West Khasi Hills, has been very vocal against uranium mining in the district.
In his recent meeting with Ramesh, Lyngdoh said the present Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) government would not allow uranium mining.
Other coalition partners in the government, the United Democratic Party (UDP), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) had also opposed uranium mining in the state during the election campaign.
“There are no differences within the coalition partners, but the members are free to air their opinion on the matter,” Roy said.
If the cabinet comes to a consensus on the issue, all the partners will abide by the decision, the chief minister said.
“As all the coalition partners are opposed to uranium mining, it is not easy on the part of the Centre and the UCIL officials to convince the state government to go ahead with the mining. It is not about saying yes or no to the project. It is up to the people to decide and that will be endorsed by the government,” Roy said.
“We respect the views of the people and as this government was elected by the people of the state, we cannot go against them,” he added.
Telegraph India
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