New Mineral Policy - A Changing Perspective and Vision: An Insight into Dynamics of Employment and Growth in Mining Industry of Meghalaya

Abstract

North-Eastern region of India being hilly, about 70 percent of the area is hilly and mountainous, is predominantly rural and about 80 percent people live in village and little over 75 percent workers are engaged in agriculture and allied activities. The livelihood security of the region, commune at large and agriculture is stagnating at subsistence level; also the region has remained largely untouched by visible patches of development for last six decades. The development of the region is therefore directly linked with the development of the natural resources of which mineral is a major component.Meghalaya being one of the eighth state, shares most of the strength and weaknesses of the region. Mining in Meghalaya is contributing to the growth and employment generation since century and it has been undergoing structural changes over time and with the New Mineral Policy being approved by the cabinet and with its underlying features, it is expected to further augment the growth and employment in the state though it equally exposes to challenges and opportunities. The study tries to throw some light on the mining sector under the New Mineral Policy perspective where potential change in growth and employment pattern is expected to emerge.