On Wednesday, the Meghalaya Assembly unanimously passed a resolution prohibiting uranium mining and any proposals for establishing uranium ore-processing facilities in the state. This decision reflects the assembly’s commitment to environmental and public health concerns.
Meghalaya Rejects Uranium Mining with Unanimous Vote
Following the adoption of a new resolution, Meghalaya has made a historic decision against uranium mining and the establishment of a uranium ore-processing facility. Chief Minister Sangma emphasized that the unanimous vote from the assembly sends a clear message about the state’s stance on this issue.
He also argued that technological advances and the availability of alternative and renewable energy sources weakened the case for pursuing a project carrying significant environmental and social concerns. Mukul Sangma urged the government to remain vigilant against any changes to central mining laws that could dilute Meghalaya’s customary land rights. At the time, the project already faced opposition from villagers and pressure groups.
The government also invoked the Supreme Court’s 2019 judgment in State of Meghalaya vs All Dimasa Students Union, in which the court held that, in Meghalaya’s hills districts, private and community landowners have rights over both the surface and sub-soil, including minerals, subject to the statutory regulatory framework. In 2008, the then CM Donkupar Roy told HT that his government would not permit uranium mining unless local people changed their position.
He said the government would convey the assembly’s decision to the Centre and urged it to respect the sentiments of the state’s tribal communities.
He stressed that the issue transcended political governments and should remain a consistent position of the state.
Leader of the Opposition, Mukul Sangma welcomed the resolution and said its adoption should now be followed by sustained engagement with the Centre. He also said that the resolution represented the culmination of decades of public opposition rather than the achievement of any one political dispensation.
