Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said there are 45 Coal Mining License (CML) holders operational in the coal bearing districts of Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensang and Mon in Nagaland whereas, there are also reports of illegal mines in the State, however due to the unique land holding system in the State makes accounting difficult for such mines, he added.

The leader of the House was responding to MLA Nuklutoshi’s starred question, on the second day of the ongoing 4th Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, with regard to the number of legal and illegal coal mining in the in the State and the number of operational mines.

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Leader of the House Neiphiu Rio noted that the Department of Geology and Mining has been conducting awareness campaigns from time to time with the stake holders and village councils to sensitize adverse impacts of illegal coal mining on the environment and need for reclamation wherever required however, the government has not sanctioned any special funds to the department for the same.

Read more: Dept of Geology & Mining says it is trying to control illegal coal mining in Nagaland

“Government need not give money but government should catch hold of the contractors or the land owners to do the rightful things because you take all the benefits and he is polluting and affecting others,” said Rio.

In response to MLA Nuklutoshi’s concerns of coal mining owners not following the legal procedure of mining and the after effects to the environment, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that terms and conditions has already been laid down.

“…if a mining is done than the hole should be refilled, the depression taken should be filled up and it should not pollute any area, streams or rivers. It is at the cost of the contractor or if the land owner himself is doing, it is at his cost. It is not Government’s responsibility to give fund to correct those mistakes,” said Rio.