Lok Sabha Question No. 952 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Uranium Reserves in Meghalaya
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: PARVESH SAHIB SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 952

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## URANIUM RESERVES IN MEGHALAYA

952. SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has implemented its plan of exploiting the uranium reserves in the State of Meghalaya in order to bolster its atomic power generation capacity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the status of the projects;
- (c) whether any fresh talks have been held with the State Government of Meghalaya to set up the extraction facility; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH) :

- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b) Uranium  mineralization  in  Meghalaya  has  been  found  over  a  large  area  around Domiasiat,  Wahkyn,  Lostoin  etc.  Uranium  Corporation  of  India  Ltd.  (UCIL)  under Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has already made a plan to develop the mineral resources  at  Domiasiat  under  the  name  of  'Kylleng  Phendengsohiong  Mawthabah (KPM) uranium mining project'. The project has the potential to generate substantial nuclear fuel for the atomic power plants of the country.

The Detailed Project report of the KPM uranium mining project has been approved by Atomic  Energy  Commission,  Environmental  clearance  for  this  project  has  been obtained  from  Ministry  of  Environment  Forest  &  Climate  Change  (MoEFCC)  in December 2007. An agreement has also been signed between UCIL and the land owners of the project site in May 2007 for acquisition of land on annual lease rent basis. Approval to execute land lease with land owners, grant of mining lease and Consent for Establishment has been taken up with Meghalaya State government.

- (c) Yes, Sir.
- (d) Meetings with concerned authorities have been  held  as under:
- i. Officials  of  UCIL  had  a  meeting  with  Director  of  Mineral  Resources  and Mining Engineer, Department of Mines & Geology, Government of Meghalaya on the issues relating to Mining Lease on 01.03.2016.
- ii. Joint  Secretary  (I&M),  DAE,  Mumbai  had  a  meeting  with  Chief  Secretary, Government  of  Meghalaya,  Commissioner  &  Secretary  Power,  Director Distribution Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd (MeECL), Resident Commissioner, Meghalaya House New Delhi who is also a Nodal Officer of the KPM Project on 11th May, 2016.
- iii. Joint  Secretary  (I&M),  DAE had a meeting with Director General of Police, Government of Meghalaya on 12.05.2016.
- iv. Regional  Director,  Atomic  Minerals  Directorate  for  Exploration  &  Research (AMD),  North  Eastern  Region  (NER)  Shillong  alongwith  AMD  officials  and UCIL officials had a meeting with His Excellency, the Governor of Meghalaya, at Raj Bhavan Shillong on 18th August, 2016.
- v. UCIL  officials  have  also  met  the  Chief  Conservator  of  Forest  &  Chairman, State Pollution Control Board, Meghalaya regarding Consent for establishment from MSPCB.

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