NCP flays Cabinet decision

SHILLONG, Sept 2: The NCP has criticized the MUA Government for taking a hasty step in accepting the development package from the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL). “We are amazed that the MUA Government within a period of three months has taken a unilateral decision,” NCP spokesperson James Sangma told reporters after a meeting today. He said the government by accepting the package has shown its inclination towards mining of uranium in the State. Stating that the previous NCP-UDP-led MPA Government was serious about the uranium mining issue in the State. By forming an all-party committee, Sangma said the previous government could not come to a consensus because of the sensitivity of the issue. “It is indeed shocking to see that our old allies in the MPA, who had opposed the mining of uranium, today seem to be towing the line of the Congress,” Sangma said asking the MUA Government to not to go ahead with any decision without taking the people into confidence.

Last year, the then MPA Government had constituted an all-party committee on uranium mining and invited three expert groups to study the effects of radiation emitted from mining of uranium ore in Phodkylleng-Pynden-gsohiong in West Khasi Hills. THE SENTINEL