Meghalaya to resume mining activities from May 4

Meghalaya minister Prestone Tynsong
Prestone Tynsong | File photo

The Meghalaya government on May 1 decided to resume mining activities, inter-district and inter-state movement of public transportation after May 3.

“The government has decided that from May 4, those mining activities duly licensed by the state government will resume their activities,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.

“This includes minor and major minerals. A few mining industries like Lafarge and other small units are also allowed to resume their activities,” he said, adding that mining of major mineral like limestone and minor ones like sand can start.

Informing that the state government has also decided to allow inter-district movement of public transportation, Tynsong said, “Inter-state public transportation will be allowed to resume by May 4 in the entire state except in Shillong agglomeration, but only 25 per cent will be allowed.”

He said that the respective deputy commissioners and districts transport officers will work out the modalities.

Furthermore, he informed that the state government has also allowed reopening of industrial estate EPIP, Byrnihat, Umiam Industrial Estate, industrial units in West Khasi Hills, Jaintia and Garo Hills from May 4.

Tynsong informed that the government had asked the cement 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, a decision will be taken accordingly,” he said.

Tynsong, however, maintained that all advisories and protocols have to be strictly maintained by all the industrial units as prescribed by the health department from time to time which includes social distancing.

“The government would close down the units if the safety protocols are not followed,” the deputy chief minister warned.

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