Khliehriat, June 11: The East Jaintia Hills Truck Owners Transport Association (EJHTOTA) has extended its support to the Jaintia Coal Miners and Dealers Association (JCMDA) in its demand to resume coal mining in the district.
Speaking to the media, EJHTOTA President Shri Kyrshan Dkhar said the association decided to support the movement after receiving a request from the JCMDA. He stated that the 2014 ban on coal mining had severely affected livelihoods in East Jaintia Hills, leaving many families struggling to meet educational and household expenses.
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Dkhar said coal transportation once provided steady income for truck owners, drivers, and workers. He noted that the JCMDA is preparing a proposal for small-scale underground scientific coal mining, which it plans to submit to the government as a viable alternative to open-cast mining, which is difficult in the district due to its terrain.
He expressed hope that the proposed mining method would generate employment and revive the local economy if approved. Dkhar also urged both district and state leaders to work together to address the concerns of the people and appealed to the government to consider the JCMDA’s recommendations for the welfare of those affected by the coal mining ban.
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