SHILLONG, April 30 — Mining of the uranium deposits in the West Khasi Hills would ultimately bring in rich dividends for Meghalaya as a whole, Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) authorities have reiterated in the wake of prominent NGOs of the State vehemently opposing the proposed project. Advisor to the UCIL, CF Lyngdoh told reporters that if allowed, mining of uranium in the Domiasiat area of the West Khasi Hills would actually lead to economic progress of the people of the State at large.
Brushing aside apprehensions of hazardous radiation, Lyngdoh said, if required, people living in the vicinity of the mine would be re-located by the UCIL. Uranium deposit at Domiasiat is considered to be the richest in the country, although poor in the global context. UCIL authorities have been maintaining that the proposed Domiasiat Project would bring about a positive development in the socio-economic situation in the West Khasi Hills in particular and the State in general.
With an excellent track record in the field of employment, health care, education, environment protection and upgradation over a period of 36 years, UCIL would create model mining practices, establish good hospital, good schools and the infrastructure in general. It would bring along good roads, banking facilities, telecom service, postal service. All these would generate employment opportunities for the local people not only through direct employment in the UCIL but also through auxiliary and ancillary services.
In short, the West Khasi Hills would see an economic boom, forwarded development of human resources, a higher standard of living, greater awareness of environment protection and a practical understanding of sustained development, the authorities claimed. It may be mentioned that the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Meghalaya People’s Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) and the Hynniewtrep Environment Status Preservation Organisation (HESPO) have been opposed to the proposed mining on the ground that it would lead to health and environment hazards, besides influx of outsiders into the tribal State.
Representatives of the three organisations who recently visited uranium mines at Jadugoda in Bihar, alleged that mining of the radio-active mineral has resulted in widespread health hazards in the vicinity of the mines. Meanwhile, faced with stiff opposition from the NGOs, the Meghalaya Government has decided to hold a Cabinet meeting on the vexed issue before arriving at a final decision on the project.