Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
State party president of the National People’s Party (NPP) WR Kharlukhi on February 9 stated that the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) ban on coal mining in 2014 has deprived the right to earn a living for numerous people which is a fundamental right of every Indian citizen.
The state unit president of the NPP and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) said that being from East Jaintia Hills district where coal mining is carried out he understands how people highly depend on it for their survival.
He acknowledged that the environment is affected but gave a comparison with that of Delhi and its pollution caused by stubble burning adding that diseases and deaths occur due to the polluted air.
Further, Kharlukhi said, “This is injustice being done to my people… It affected the livelihood of the people which is against the fundamental rights of the Indian constitution.”
He said that the ban on coal mining has affected not only miners but also the daily labourers and others.
He said that from the place where the coal originates to its final destination many families along the road earn their livelihood from kwai sellers to those having foot stalls who cater to the truckers.
“Nobody sees this, because these people are those whose voices are unheard,” Kharlukhi said.