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Our Correspondent
Diphu, Sep. 22 (EMN): Another quartzite mining was opened at Bey village, Koilamati in Karbi Anglong district by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) on Thursday.
Deputy Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly, Dr. Numal Momin during the opening said that, when mining of minerals like coal were done illegally many groups and leaders were benefitted as they had their shares in it, but with legalization, the money will now go directly into the revenue of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).
The opening ceremony and public meeting was held at Koilamati playground, 105 Km from Diphu.
The mining of quartzite is under the Mines & Minerals Department, government of Assam. The Block-3 Koilamati quartzite mining project will be the second, after Arting quartzite Block –I in West Karbi Anglong which was opened on Aug. 2 by Mines & Minerals Minister, Nandita Garlosa.
Opening the quartzite mining the Chief Executive Member (CEM), KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang said that earlier before the quartzite stone was legalized it was illegally extracted by some mafias losing huge revenue to the KAAC. But with legalization, he said, the revenue received will be utilized for development purposes.
The CEM said the share of revenue by KAAC is 60 percent and the state government is 40 percent. ‘Discussion is on with the state government, as 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.
Dr. Numal Momin said that the revenue to be generated by KAAC and the state government from quartzite mining is important as the revenue to be received can be utilized for all-around development.
Dr. Momin said, “In 2018 I have collected the quartzite stone and taken it to the laboratory of the Mines & Minerals Department to examine the presence of quartz. During the examination found the presence of quartz and Chinese clay two commercially viable items.”
He also said that the KAAC authority, after communicating with the Central government, has allowed the state government to mine quartzite stone from Karbi Anglong.
The contractor for Block-3 Koilamati quartzite mining is David Phangcho.