Guwahati, Aug. 26 -- The Centre is considering a separate framework to help Meghalaya transition from traditional rat-hole coal mining to scientific mining, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told the state Assembly on August 25.

Responding to a short-duration discussion raised by VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, Sangma said the Union Coal Ministry had recognised that Meghalaya's mining conditions differ significantly from those in other parts of the country and was examining a customised approach.

Coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya were banned by the National Green Tribunal in 2014 over concerns surrounding unscientific rat-hole mining. The Supreme Court later permitted scientific mining in 2019, subject to compliance with...