Thu Dec 18 07:47:58 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Wanweiroy Kharlukhi is urging the central government to expedite scientific coal mining in Meghalaya, following a National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban in 2014 that has negatively impacted the local economy, livelihoods, and the functioning of autonomous district councils. He also raised concerns that the ban has inadvertently created conditions for increased drug smuggling in former mining areas.

News Article:

Meghalaya MP Warns of Drug Smuggling Surge Following Coal Mining Ban

NEW DELHI, December 18, 2025 – Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Wanweiroy Kharlukhi of Meghalaya has called on the central government to accelerate the implementation of scientific coal mining in the state, citing severe economic hardship and a concerning rise in drug smuggling linked to the ongoing ban on coal mining.

During Zero Hour in Parliament on Thursday, Dr. Kharlukhi highlighted the devastating consequences of the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) 2014 ban on coal mining in Meghalaya. He emphasized that the ban has crippled the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on the industry, as well as severely impacting the revenue streams of autonomous district councils. He said, “The right to earn is the fundamental right of every citizen, and I feel my people have been deprived of that right.”

The MP also pointed out the significant financial loss suffered by the state government, previously earning over ₹600 crore annually from coal cess tax, which funded education. The ban halted this revenue stream, causing significant disruptions to teacher salaries in the initial years.

While expressing gratitude for the government’s decision to allow the resumption of mining through scientific methods, Dr. Kharlukhi raised a grave concern: a marked increase in drug smuggling activities in former coal mining regions. “The dangerous part is that recently, drug smuggling seems to be on the rise in my State, with certain arrests made by law agencies, especially in the coal block areas,” he stated. He urged the government to address this alarming trend to prevent Meghalaya from becoming a hub for drug trafficking in the region.

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