Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Thursday cautioned of the risks involved in uranium mining if it is done without the consent of the state government.
Mr Sangma's reaction came in the wake of the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL), a Government of India enterprise, floating a tender inviting companies interested in constructing infrastructure and also to excavate 3,75,000 tonne of uranium ore annually.
"I have just been briefed by the Political Department. As of now, there is no engagement by the Government of India to that effect (uranium mining) and of giving a green signal. If they are doing it, it is at their own risk," Mr Sangma told reporters at the sidelines of the cabinet meet.
"If someone's action has any negative fallout, the state government will take a call since law and order is a state subject," he said.
UCIL General Manager (open pit) P N Sarkar had on July 2 announced in a local daily that the company "is planning to set up open pit mine and processing plant of the uranium ore in South West Khasi Hills district."
The UCIL wants interested companies to undertake activities such as getting clearances and pending consent for establishment and mining of uranium.
The state government had in 2010 given authorisation to the Union Ministry of Road and Transport to upgrade 325 km-long state roads in the mining area to "facilitate mining of uranium" under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDP(NE)).
Local NGOs have raised objection to the road construction project saying it would facilitate uranium mining.
Mr Sangma's reaction came in the wake of the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL), a Government of India enterprise, floating a tender inviting companies interested in constructing infrastructure and also to excavate 3,75,000 tonne of uranium ore annually.
"I have just been briefed by the Political Department. As of now, there is no engagement by the Government of India to that effect (uranium mining) and of giving a green signal. If they are doing it, it is at their own risk," Mr Sangma told reporters at the sidelines of the cabinet meet.
UCIL General Manager (open pit) P N Sarkar had on July 2 announced in a local daily that the company "is planning to set up open pit mine and processing plant of the uranium ore in South West Khasi Hills district."
Advertisement
The state government had in 2010 given authorisation to the Union Ministry of Road and Transport to upgrade 325 km-long state roads in the mining area to "facilitate mining of uranium" under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDP(NE)).
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Iran's Enriched Uranium Stock 30 Times More Than 2015 Accord Limit: UN Watchdog Depleted Uranium Rounds For Ukraine Sign Of US 'Inhumanity': Russia 2.5 Tons Of Missing Uranium Found in South Libya: Report "Keep Insulting, I'll Keep Fighting": Rahul Gandhi Hits Out At Anurag Thakur India's Most Advanced Nuclear Reactor Approaches Finish Line Software Engineer Invites 2 Friends To Celebrate New Job, They Rape Her Loud Blast Heard In Lebanese Capital Amid Tensions With Israel: Report Top Universities To Study Architecture In World Air Canada Flight Cancelled After Staff's Meltdown Over Blanket Request Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.