Meghalaya Government to Revise Quarrying Rules for Small Miners, Cabinet Review Planned

Meghalaya’s administration announced plans to rewrite the existing quarrying norms that govern small‑scale mining operations across the state. The move aims to address long‑standing concerns from local miners about restrictive rules and to streamline the licensing process.

The proposal was discussed in a recent meeting between senior officials of the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone. According to the officials, the revised framework will introduce clearer criteria for quarry permits, reduce bureaucratic delays, and incorporate safety and environmental safeguards.

If approved by the cabinet, the new guidelines could boost the livelihoods of thousands of small miners while ensuring compliance with state environmental policies. The government has indicated that the draft will be tabled in the next cabinet session for final endorsement.