Centre to Meghalaya: start uranium mining, get Rs 800 cr for development

Union Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar held a meeting on Monday with Union Government secretaries, Meghalaya Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee and officials of UCIL and Atomic Energy Commission AEC officials. 8220;The Union Government has sanctioned Rs 800 crore for development of infrastructure provided the Meghalaya Government is able to evolve a consensus over the mining issue,8221; Chatterjee said on Tuesday.

Anti-mining groups like the Khasi Students8217; Union KSU and political parties like Hills State People Democratic Party HSPDP and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement KHNAM have been opposing uranium mining, arguing that radiation caused by it will affect health and environment.

8220;The meeting felt if development is put on fast track in the area, the apprehension of opposing groups will lessen,8221; said Chatterjee.

Chatterjee said Rs 800 crore has been sanctioned to set up five Public Health Centres, a Community Health Centre, a Kendra Vidhalaya School, a polytechnic institute and water supply connection in the area.