New Delhi: Amid protests by anti-mining lobbies, Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang Monday said his government wanted to contribute in a "small way" for the country's growth by allowing uranium extraction in the state.
"Government of India is not an enemy of Meghalaya. In fact it was always kind to us. It gave as a separate state in the early 1970s, it gave us first northeast hill university, it gave us an IIM and many more. We too wanted to contribute in our small way for the country's growth by allowing uranium mining," Lapang told reporters.
He said this after a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh whom he had briefed about the prevailing situation in Meghalaya where some social organisations and NGOs were spearheading agitation against uranium mining by Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL).
"The Prime Minister told me that developmental activities must be carried out in the entire West Khasi hill district before going for uranium mining and the Central government would offer all help," he said.
Lapang said uranium is the property of the whole nation and the Central government has good intention in the project as it will benefit Meghalaya immensely.
"Meghalaya will also be benefited. Besides, we would be privileged if we can help the nation to overcome its power crisis through Meghalaya uranium," he said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, October 12, 2009, 16:13