Shillong, April 18 -- The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) on Saturday renewed its demand for exemption of Meghalaya from certain provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR), asserting that the existing legal framework is unsuitable for the state's traditional landholding system and small-scale coal mining practices.

The demand was raised during a meeting between the JNC Central Executive Committee, led by president Sambormi Lyngdoh, and Meghalaya BJP state unit general secretary Wankit Pohshna. The meeting was held following an invitation from the BJP leader.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Lyngdoh said the dialogue followed a memorandum submitted by the JNC to the BJP on March 17 this year, ...