Quartzite mine at Koilamati inaugurated
HT Correspondent
KOILAMATI, Sept 22: The chief executive member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Tuliram Ronghang on Thursday said that chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has agreed to increase the revenue share of quartzite mining for the KAAC.
The CEM said the present share of revenue of KAAC is 60 percent and the State government’s share is 40 percent.
“Discussion is on with the state government and chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has agreed to increase the share gradually to 70 percent, 80 percent, 90 percent and ultimately it will be 100 percent to the KAAC,” the CEM said, while attending the opening of another quartzite mine at Bey Village, Koilamati in Karbi Anglong.
Ronghang said that before quartzite mining was legalised it was illegally extracted by some mafias leading to loss of huge revenue to KAAC. The revenue from quartzite mining will be utilised for development, he said.
Attending the programme, Deputy Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly, Dr Numal Momin on Thursday said earlier the mining of minerals like coal was done illegally and media, political leaders and police had their share in it.
“As it has been legalised, the media, MLA, Executive Member and Chief Executive Member have now no share in it as the money will go directly into the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) exchequer.”
The Block-3 Koilamati quartzite mining project will be the second, after Arting quartzite Block –I in West Karbi Anglong which was opened on August 2 by Mines & Minerals minister Nandita Garlosa.
The programme was attended by MP Horensinig Bey; MLA Bidyasing Engleng, EMs and MACs.
