Meghalaya dithers on uranium mining
May 24th, 2011 - 4:37 pm ICT by IANSShillong, May 24 (IANS) The Meghalaya government Tuesday said it has yet to decide whether it will allow its rich deposits of uranium to be mined, something which has been firmly opposed by various groups in the state on health and environmental grounds.
“We have not decided anything on it (mining of uranium). The government will take a clear cut decision on this matter only after consulting with various stakeholders,” Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M. Lanong told IANS Tuesday.
The Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) has found an estimated 9,500 tonnes of uranium oxide reserves in Meghalaya.
The proposed open-cast uranium mining in Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills district has been hanging fire since 1992 after several groups cited the ill-effects of radiation on human health and environment.
“We all know the sensitivity of this matter and the government understands the wishes of the people at large,” Lanong said.
Earlier, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said his government will not force its decision on the people.
“This government will not bulldoze its people. No decision will be taken on the uranium mining without taking people into confidence,” Sangma said.
Over half-a-dozen civil society groups and political parties have been opposing uranium mining in the state.
“At no cost will we allow anyone to mine uranium in Meghalaya. The whole world has witnessed the radiation effects from the Fukushima nuclear plant,” said Samuel Jyrwa, leader of the influential Khasi Students’ Union (KSU).
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- 'Uranium deposits necessary for power generation' - Jul 05, 2012
- Meghalaya to seek scientific opinion on uranium mining - Mar 02, 2010
- Meghalaya civil groups oppose uranium mining project - Nov 10, 2010
- Meghalaya defers development work around uranium mining - Nov 05, 2009
- Night blockade against uranium mining in Meghalaya - Oct 14, 2009
- Meghalaya to adopt 'new approach' on uranium mining - May 07, 2010
- Meghalaya uranium project to go ahead despite opposition - Nov 09, 2010
- Road blockade against uranium mining in Meghalaya - Oct 20, 2009
- Meghalaya outfit suspends road blockade against uranium mining - Oct 29, 2009
- Students' blockade against uranium mining turns violent - Oct 15, 2009
- Meghalaya calls all-party meeting on crisis (Lead) - May 15, 2010
- Meghalaya may shift power project for uranium deposits - Dec 17, 2011
- Meghalaya CM urges coalition partners not to support Sangma - Jul 06, 2012
- Meghalaya assembly passes bill declaring shutdowns illegal - Mar 26, 2010
Tags: civil society groups, deputy chief minister, dithers, effects of radiation, environmental grounds, half a dozen, hanging fire, human health, ill effects, ksu, nuclear plant, political parties, radiation effects, shillong, stakeholders, students union, tonnes, uranium mining, uranium oxide, west khasi hills