<h1>India Signs Deals to Restart Scientific Coal Mining in Meghalaya After Decade-Long Ban on Rat-Hole Mining</h1> The central government has signed agreements with three miners in Meghalaya to initiate scientific coal mining in two districts, marking a significant development after a decade-long ban on unscientific 'rat-hole mining' by the National Green Tribunal. The agreements involve the Controller of Coal, Government of India, and Coal India Limited as a third party. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of these agreements in lifting the ban and highlighted ongoing efforts to approve 12 additional mining applications. The coal mining industry was a major revenue source for the state before the ban in 2014.