Cabinet decision on UCIL activities

Staff Correspondent
SHILLONG, Oct 5: Amidst opposition to UCIL’s pre-developmental works in the uranium mining sites in West Khasi Hills, the Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) had been forced to hold a series of review meetings. Today, the Cabinet thoroughly deliberated on the issue, and Chief Minister DD Lapang was entrusted by the Cabinet “not to back from the decision to allow UCIL to go ahead with the developmental activities”.

Lapang will meet Prime minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday when he will apprise him of the current stand of the people of the State on the proposed uranium mining. Speaking to newsmen after the Cabinet meeting today, Lapang said, “The government’s quest for development should not be at people’s ignorance about the UCIL project. It is development what we need and the uranium mining issue is needed to be deliberated at this juncture”.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said the Cabinet also discussed how to work out a mechanism involving all stake holders such as political parties, NGOs and others so that the issue could be resolved permanently. “Everyone should know and be clear about it, and that is why the government will be organizing deliberations through panel discussions and debates so that people can speak of their minds on a common platform,” said Sangma.

Moreover, the Chief Minister also took a dig at the HSPDP for deviating from the Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) Government’s policies. Displaying the letter of unconditional support extended to the Congress-led Government, Lapang wondered over the open public spat of HSPDP leader HS Lyngdoh.

Another topic for discussion was the growing congestion in the principal towns of the State, and in regard to this, the Cabinet decided to direct the Chief Secretary to constitute a coordination committee initially for three towns — Shillong, Jowai and Tura. The committee, which will be consisted of members from the police, Urban Affairs and Transport departments, will find out ways to solve the problem. THE SENTINEL