32 applicants for coal prospecting license

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 22: At present, there are 32 applicants who have submitted their application as per the SOP issued by the Government on March 5, 2021, for the grant of a prospecting license for coal.

Out of these 17 applicants have received approval from the Central government and they are now in the exploration stage for generating a Geological Report before obtaining mining leases, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said in his reply to a starred question tabled in the Assembly on Friday.

Further, 4 out of the 17 approved applicants, after they have submitted their Geological Report, have received prior approval of the Central government for a mining lease in the State and the presentation of the Mining plan is completed and approval of the mining plans is awaited, he said while informing that 15 applicants are yet to obtain prior approval of the Central government for prospecting license.

‘Amendments needed to ensure equitable distribution of property’

Four organizations – HNYF, KSU, FKJGP and Maitshaphrang have urged the citizens to extend their full support the need to introduce some amendments to the Meghalaya Succession to Self Acquired Property (Khasi and Jaintia Special Provision) Act, 1986 to ensure equitable distribution of property.

“With this vision in mind we appeal to the Hynniewtrep people for their views and opinion, their cooperation and support in bringing about a legislation that is progressive and an asset to all the children of the family and their generations and with the talents and the resources available in our State, let us make our Meghalaya an economic powerhouse, the pride of India,” Convener of the Maitshaphrang Michael Syiem said in a statement issued today.

The matter was also discussed during a meeting organized by the four organizations with representatives of the seng Kur (Clan) on April 15.

Syiem said the whole world revolves around the economy and the stronger the economy the stronger the country, citing examples like the USA, Germany, China, and quite a few more. Even Israel which is not much bigger in size than Meghalaya and where 65% of its territory is desert, has a very strong economy and attempts by its far bigger neighbouring countries to ‘bring it to heel’ time and again had been countered successfully by Israel. Israel is now a major player not only in the Middle East.

He said if Meghalaya is to become a strong and a progressive State and able to protect its’ borders besides taking up other development activities, it has to develop its economy and the involvement and contribution of its indigenous population to strengthen this economic development is vital.

In the present situation where government jobs have reached a near saturation point, the only viable alternative is for the young people of the state to go into economic activity in a big way and for those who have the capital, it will have a multiplier effect creating more employment opportunities.

For this to happen, economic empowerment of all the children in the family of the Hynniewtrep community is a must to allow them to give collateral for availing of loans from the financial institution.

“Therefore, the need to amend the above 1986 Act to include the word ‘Equitable’ meaning ‘Fair and Just’ (not ‘Equal’ as some people mistakenly interpreted), and the word ‘Ancestral’ in the principal Act which will then read as, the Meghalaya Equitable Succession to Ancestral and Self Acquired Property (Khasi and Jaintia Special Provision) Act. Proposal to include the word ‘Gift’ was also made,” Syiem said.

“The word ‘Equitable’ gives the parents the flexibility to ‘Will’ out their property to their children, sons and daughters, to whom and how much, according to their wisdom. If in certain cases, the parents in their wisdom feel that the youngest daughter deserves the bulk or the entire share, this Law will allow them to do so by Will. In a family where there are no daughters only sons, the Will which gives the sons the right to the family property will prevent the Kur (Clan) from snatching away the property from them when their parents expire, which is usually the case because of the absence of this law,” he added.

The Maitshaphrang leader further recalled that in the year 1982 a group of ex KSU members, discussed the need for a law to give all children of the family a share of the family property.

“Accordingly together with some concerned friends and members of the Tribal United Front led by (L) Wifel Slong we drafted a Bill which was to be presented to the KHADC. This Bill was however taken up and passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and received the assent of the Governor on May 23, 1986 as The Meghalaya Succession to Self Acquired Property (Khasi and Jaintia Special Provision) Act, 1986 and published in the Gazette of Meghalaya, Extraordinary, dated June 3, 1986,” he said.

“However in this principal Act of 1986 it mentions only the Self Acquired Property of the parents that can be Willed out to their children, sons and daughters. But this Self Acquired property of the parents, in the next generation becomes Ancestral property to the children and it reverts back to the youngest daughter as per our present system of inheritance,” Syiem said while adding that “So therefore, we are demanding that only this part of the Ancestral property that is inherited from their parents and grandparents be allowed to be Willed out to anyone of their children and successive generations and not the Ancestral property that belongs to the Kur (Clan).”

Syiem said after more than 30 years of campaigning we are glad that more and more families are equitably distributing their properties to all their children, sons and daughters. But it must be emphasized here that there must be a law in place to strengthen and legalise this distribution of inheritance by way of a Will or by a Gift.

“We are facing challenging times from challenging forces and unless we economically empower all our children, sons and daughters whenever possible, our matrilineal society will not be able to withstand the onslaught facing us today and the years to come. The problem of influx which is mainly driven by availability of economic opportunities, will be checked to a great extent when more and more indigenous people of the state enter into economic activity, encouraged by this new legislation,” he added.

Govt assures stop to illegal coal transportation

Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong assured that the state police will ensure illegal mining and transportation of coal is stopped at any cost.

Tynsong told reporters that one needs to understand that even if the state police are present 24×7, criminal activities still keep on happening.

“We don’t know when the thief is coming to our house so you need to understand that. You know humanly speaking we are trying our best and we will make sure that illegal mining activities stop at any cost,” he said.

On the Meghalaya High Court’s order for the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to check illegal transportation of coal in Meghalaya, Tynsong however said the state police is equipped enough to handle the situation in the state.

“Let me assure the people of the state that the state police are equipped enough to handle any situation,” he added.

If the government would appeal against the court order, the deputy chief minister however said, “That I can’t say anything right now because in fact a letter has been sent even to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the concerned organization where ultimately they are not able to provide additional forces.”

On March 20, the Meghalaya High Court asked the CISF to indicate its readiness to check the illegal transportation of coal in Meghalaya.

While hearing a PIL, the Court was informed that the logistics to be prepared for the deployment of 10 companies of CISF would take at least four weeks. It was also informed that CISF will be proceeding on the basis that the deployment would be necessary for at least two to three years before the State augments its human resources to take over the task.

Since the selection of personnel, arrangement of even temporary accommodation and the like may require some time, it is hoped that a disciplined force as the CISF indicates within a fortnight from the date as to how deployment on the ground can be ensured within four weeks from today.

The Court had said that since the State had indicated plans to construct or otherwise provide accommodation for CAPF personnel, the State should cooperate in the process and provide basic accommodation to the CISF personnel, including the commandants of the companies.

It had also directed that CISF should identify or engage one or more persons to be in charge by rotation and said, “Such personnel should obtain an appointment with Justice Katakey and, in the presence of representatives of the State, work out the places and modalities for ultimately deploying the 10 companies.”

EJNC wants action against ‘illegal coal transportation’

The East Jaintia National Council (EJNC) has demanded action against the illegal transportation of coal to the cement plants in the East Jaintia Hills district from outside the state.

In a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of East Jaintia Hills district, the EJNC said, “We do fervently request you to kindly take necessary action to stop such illegal transportation/import of coal in Meghalaya, especially in East Jaintia Hills District, from outside the state.”

According to them, a good number of trucks import coal to cement plants in the district “without valid documents”.

The EJNC also demanded that direction be given to the DMR check gates and police department to stop such illegal import of coal without any valid documents.

“If such illegal transportation/import is not stopped, there will be a hue and cry in the society since only a few unfair businessmen are freely doing their business,” it warned.

The EJNC alleged that the “unfair businessmen” never adhere to the guidelines of the Notification issued by the Mining and Geology department on November 8, 2022 and said that any transportation of coal or any mineral into Meghalaya or through Meghalaya to Bangladesh requires the approval of the Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Mining and Geology department.

Dymbur pays tribute to U Tirot Sing

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 5: “Dymbur”- a local Khasi folk metal band on Tuesday released its music video titled “U Tirot Sing -Unsung Hero”.

The song speaks about the freedom struggle led by the legendary freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem against the British.

Speaking before the release of the music video, Dymbur co-founder Cornelius Kharsyntiew said that this is an important day for the band because of the support received from KSU to come up with this massive project.

Kharsyntiew said informed that Dymbur was formed in 2012 and in the earlier days, the band was a progressive band and its lyrics are always related to what is happening all around the world but the band switched from progressive metal to Khasi Folk metal in 2019 to take part in various competitions all round the world.

He added after switching from progressive metal to Khasi Folk metal, the band uses both traditional and Western instruments for music and in the earlier stage they received criticism as they were having difficulties in playing local traditional instruments but the band believes that music is universal.

“The idea of coming up with the song U Tirot Sing- Unsung Hero is to highlight the journey of our freedom fighter and we have seen many bands or artists who have contributed their music to U Tirot Sing Syiem but we have not seen any metal band from Meghalaya who have done the same hence we decided to contribute our song to our freedom fighter,” said Kharsyntiew.

Meanwhile, general secretary of the Khasi Student Union (KSU) Donald V Thabah said that the KSU has always lent support to anyone who has the talent to bring glory to the state be it businesses, music of any genre, sports, arts and culture or in any fields.

Thabah said that the KSU took the decision to lend support to Dymbur for this project as Dymbur is the first metal band to make a song about U Tirot Sing Syiem hence the KSU felt the need to lend support to this band as everyone knows Meghalaya does not have specific institute or schemes to help musicians.

“In Meghalaya, people are not aware of the date of birth of U Tirot Sing Syiem but people know about his death which is on July 17 and KSU has thought of releasing this music video on his death anniversary but the band felt it is too late hence we have decided to release today the 4th April as a mark of the awakening day for the Khasi community,” said Thabah.

Thabah said that this song by Dymbur will act as the vehicle to carry forward about the life of U Tirot Sing Syiem who was the king of the Khasi community and led a rebellion against the might of the East India Company or the then British empire.