Shillong: Hopes were rekindled in mid
2009 that the proposed uranium mining project in Meghalaya
will finally see the light of the day but these were dashed
towards the end of the year by renewed protests prompting the
government to put it in on the back burner.
Within three months of clinching power after the
collapse of the NCP-led coalition of regional parties, the
Congress-led government headed by Chief Minister D D Lapang
sought to break the deadlock over the uranium mining project
that has been hanging fire over two decades now.
The Lapang cabinet on August 24 decided to lease 422
hectares of land to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited
(UCIL) for 30 years in the uranium-rich West Khasi Hills
district for "pre-project" developmental works.
The UCIL agreed to earmark Rs 209 crore to carry out
pre-project development programmes, including healthcare
facilities, power, drinking water, educational institutions
and roads.
No sooner did the government took that decision that
anti-mining groups led by the influential Khasi Students
Union (KSU), vented their protests citing 'environmental and
health hazards' arising out of the mining project.
The anti-mining groups demanded repeal of the cabinet
decision, but Lapang was adamant and on a number of occasions
indicated that there was pressure from New Delhi which wanted
to see that the project began at the earliest.
The Centre was waiting for a nod from the state to
start mining activities that were vital to achieve the goal of
20,000 MW nuclear power production set by it.
PTI
First Published: Monday, December 21, 2009, 09:33