No Govt Coal Mines in Meghalaya, Says G Kishan Reddy

Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Thursday said that the fatal blast at the East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya occurred on an unlicensed mining site reiterating that there are no Government of India-run coal mines in the state.

The accident that happened on Thursday morning resulted in at least 18 workers being killed and one being injured, who has been shifted to a higher medical facility for treatment. In response to the incident, the minister pointed out that no coal blocks in Meghalaya have been auctioned by the Centre and there are neither any current public sector projects nor commercial mining undertakings in that area.

According to him, the tragedy once again shows the ever-present threat of illegal coal mining, which cannot be stopped despite repeated warnings. In his opinion, illegal activities are still conducted by organised groups that force vulnerable workers to work under dangerous conditions.

Reddy further said that the Centre has persistently called on the state governments to take strong action against illegal mining and put stringent checks on the ground. He emphasised that it is vital to enforce it on the state level and that this should not repeat in the future.

The Union minister affirmed that a report has been requested in detail by the Meghalaya government on the events that led to the explosion. He also requested all the states to enforce mining laws with strictness in order to avoid further deaths.

After the incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inspected the situation and promised any possible support from the Centre. A unit of the National Disaster Response Force has already arrived in the scene and two others are on their way.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave financial aid of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the people who were killed and Rs 50,000 to the injured ones under the Prime Minister's national relief fund. The Meghalaya government has also announced an ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh to the bereaved families on its own.

Meanwhile, police in Khliehriat have registered a suo motu case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, and the Explosives Substances Act. 

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