Page 29 - Insurance Times September 2021

Also, the decision of NGT was upheld by Supreme Court Y The branch of mines can lead to caving in or flooding
after Meghalaya's government challenged it.
Y Roadside dumping of coal is a major source of water,
air and soil pollution
The government does not have any policy to regulate such
illegal and hazardous mining method in place. Mining policy Y Water quality degrades and shows sign of low dissolved
oxygen
drafted in 2012 does not address the issue of rat hole mining.
The coal seam is not too thick in the Meghalaya to make Rat - Hole Mining has to be discontinued.
other methods economically viable. People there also
overlook these challenges just to make their living and when Way Forward:
people are in need, they can do anything. This lets the Mining industry since colonial times have seen lots of ups
powerful people to use them as their workers and extract and downs in the market demand. This demand and supply
colas for economic benefit. Such irresponsible behaviour and game is common with all the industries in the market but
greed can easily take someone's life. The day was not too mining sector has grown above it and made its place in the
far: economy as a whole. It being the primary activity of the
nation, involves large number of skilled and unskilled labour,
On 13th December 2018, 15 workers trapped in a 350 feet capital, market and the entrepreneur. Industry also leaves
deep coal mine in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya ecological footprint behind in lot many ways. Now, the sector
after it was flooded by the Lytein River. Rescue operations has grown a lot and it is time that it just improves with the
were carried on by National Disaster Response Force and modern needs and becomes clean as the world is under
the Indian Navy. It was one of the several mishaps that has environmental crisis with economic slowdown being just
taken place over the years, leading to the death of workers. part and parcel of the global market.
NGT slapped anRs 100 Crore fine on the Government of
Meghalaya for failing to curb the illegal mining. We must ensure the adoption of digital technology for better
Unfortunately, people are still unhappy with the ban imposed mineral resources exploration and surveillance. Faster
by NGT and the government is trying hard to get them to clearance is required to make the process smooth and
terms. hurdle free, remembering that we conduct proper
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact
Assessment (SIA) before allocation the projects. There
should be proper allocation process which makes the process
transparent and rule based to prevent any outside influence
to creep in.

Rehabilitation of the displaced should be made in such a
manner that the poor get their right and what they deserve.
Just putting them in a condition worse than they were in, is
just the greed and no compassion. Proper check on the
utilisation of District Mineral Fund is must, as this fund is
the basic source of finance in the time of need. Any
corruption can have a serious impact on the life of the
people involved in the mining.

A regulatory body should be in place to settle the dispute
Figure 6 - Source: Down to Earth relating to the sector and not burden the state judiciary.
National Green tribunal issues notifications and orders
Impacts of rat hole mining: regarding the protection of forest and guidelines related to
Y The river waters, especially in the Jaintia region has the working of the projects. As it banned the rat hole
mining, the NGT should keep an eye on such illegal and
turned acidic
hazardous activities.
Y Off road movement of trucks damages the ecological
and environmental balance Mining companies should look into using sustainable
Y The practice has already been declared unsafe for the procedures and waste disposal techniques, taking into
workers account the fragile ecological state. Also, try to replenish

The Insurance Times, September 2021 29