Minerals should be utilised judiciously: Patton

In this photograph released by the department of Geology & Mining, Y Patton, Parliamentary Secretary for geology & mining, is seen with officials of the department and locals of Anaki Yimsen at the village in Mokokchung district.

Dimapur, November 20 (MExN): Y Patton, Parliamentary Secretary for geology & mining, irrigation & flood control and border affairs, while expressing concern over environmental issues caused by coal mining, said that minerals are finite and non-renewable and should be utilised judiciously. Therefore, he added, these issues need to be taken up under the supervision of technical experts keeping in mind the importance of environmental aspects.
The policy of the state government is that the people enjoy the benefits from the minerals, said Patton, while seeking the cooperation of the people and landowners while implementing these policies, informed a press note issued by the Director of geology & mining.
Patton was accompanied by the Director, OSD and senior officers of the geology & mining department as he undertook a tour of Mokokchung, Longleng and Mon districts from November 18 to 19 to assess the “ground realities of coal mining activities in the areas as well as to oversee the implementation of the Nagaland Coal Policy and Nagaland Coal Mining Rules”. The team visited all mineral check gates, field rest houses and proposed sites for installation of weight bridges, coal stockyards etc.
The Parliamentary Secretary also interacted with the administrative heads and appraised them about the implementation of the Nagaland Coal Policy and Rules by the department for proper regulation and control of coal mining in the state. The administration of these areas hold equal responsibility for its effective monitoring, it was informed.
Patton also held interactions with public leaders, landowners and coal operators at various places and assured them that he had come to listen to their problems, if any, and any other information that they may have in connection with coal mining activities, the press note added. The note also stated that almost all the coal deposits lie along the foothills bordering Assam, and in one such case, in Anaki Yimsen, the public expressed the problems and difficulties being faced by the people living at the border areas and requested that the government show some concern for people living in the area.
In all the meetings, the note revealed, the landowners, villagers and coal operators requested the Parliamentary Secretary to lift the ban on coal-mining activities explaining that this was their only means of earning a living especially for the people living in the remote border areas. The locals further stated that banning of coal-mining activities would mean a denial of their survival. After patiently hearing the expression of the people, the Parliamentary Secretary assured that he would take up the matter with government at the earliest, the note stated.