Shillong, Nov 16: The standard operating procedures (SOPs) for granting prospecting licenses and mining lease for coal mining have been framed to suit the interest of the “high level”, according to five pressure groups.
They said SOPs also seek to violate the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act and to legalise benami transactions with non-tribals through coal business.
The five pressure groups – HYC, EJNC, HANM, JSM and CORP – have demanded immediate amendment of the Office Memorandum (OM)issued on March 5, 2021 with regards to the SOPs through a a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong here.
HYC President Robertjune Kharjahrin said, “The SOPs have been framed by the high level for the high level as it is no longer for the common man.”
