India, Dec. 18 -- Rajya Sabha MP Wanweiroy Kharlukhi on Thursday raised concerns over the impact of the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) coal mining ban in Meghalaya, urging the Centre to expedite permission for scientific mining.

He also warned that the ban has indirectly contributed to a rise in drug smuggling in former coal-mining areas.

Speaking during Zero Hour, the National People's Party MP stated that the 2014 ban has severely affected thousands of families dependent on coal for their income.

"Coal supports the livelihoods of thousands of families. The right to earn is a fundamental right, and my people have been deprived of it," he said.

Kharlukhi noted that the ban has also weakened autonomous district councils, which relied ...