In April 2014, the National Green Tribunal imposed a blanket ban on coal mining and transportation in the state of Meghalaya, leading to negative growth and affecting the economy as a whole. The ban also severely crippled the lives of thousands of citizens dependent on the mining sector, both directly and indirectly.
However, under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government has taken significant steps towards reviving coal mining, including obtaining approval for standard operating procedures for obtaining prospecting licences and mining leases. As a result, the Ministry of Coal, Government of India has provided previous approval for mining leases to four applicants out of 17 prospecting licence applicants on 25th April 2023.