Morung Express News
Tuli | September 16
In a bid to streamline coal mining activities in the state, Parliamentary Secretary for Geology & Mining, Dr Imtiwapang Aier today inaugurated the Designated Coal Depot, Tuli at ‘10th Mile, NH – 2 Tuli Railway Station’ here today.
Parliamentary Secretary for Industries & Commerce, Amenba Yaden was the guest of honour; besides, a host of dignitaries from the Directorate of Geology & Mining, leaders from the neighboring villages of Tuli area and others attended the programme.
The Chief Guest, Dr Imtiwapang Aier, while speaking at the programme, said that opening of coal stockyards or depots in the state was a long felt dream of the state government, which could not be implemented for a long time.
However, with the active encouragement of the State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, who foresaw the economic potential for the people and also the building of congenial relationships with neighboring states and industrialists, the Government Designated Coal Depot, Tuli has been finally inaugurated, said Dr Imtiwapang.
While maintaining that the state government has a clear cut coal mining policy which was enacted in 2006 and amended in 2014, the Parliamentary Secretary said that the policy is ‘aimed at mutual benefit’ for the coal miners, the state government and also the people as a whole.
He pointed out that the state and the Naga coal miners and contractors have been incurring huge losses due to haphazard mining and trading activity where ‘dhalal’ (middlemen) profited the most out of the Naga coal mining activities.
In this regard, he expressed hope that with the establishing of the ‘designated coal depot, Tuli’ which will be run by a recognized company – Nagaland Emerald Enterprises – would benefit stakeholders – the coal mine owners, the villagers, the company etc - in the Tuli area.
While saying that the state government is actively working towards the interest of the coal miners in the state, Dr Imtiwapang disclosed that Nagaland coal is in huge demand in neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Therefore, he urged the people to be conscientious towards mining of coal in the state and also work hand in hand with the government in exploring the coal market beyond the northeast region.
He especially urged landowners, coal mine owners and the villagers to be united and extend their support to the state government so that the coal mining industry can become a sustainable industry in the state. He also disclosed that the state government will be opening similar coal depots at Shingpang (Mon district), Shingtak (Longleng district) and Tsutepela (Mokokchung), which will greatly help the coal mine owners, the villagers and the Naga people as whole in terms of revenue and sustainable mining of the ‘black gold’.
Others who spoke at the programme were parliamentary Secretary for Industry and commerce, Amenba Yaden, Secretary of G&M, Imjung M Panger IAS, representatives from the Nagaland Emerald Enterprises, the Wamaken Village council chairman, Tuli Area Coal Miners’ Association etc.
The Designated Coal Depot, Tuli is licensed to Nagaland Emerald Enterprises; the depot is equipped with a ‘weigh bridge’ and abundant space for dumping of coal for transportation.
Those who spoke at today’s inaugural programme expressed happiness at the state government for opening the designated coal depot and at the same time urged the government and the licensed company not to let the depot go defunct.
