SHILLONG: As part of the Centre's push for early start of the uranium mining project in Meghalaya, Union Cabinet Secretary KM Chandra-shekhar will arrive here on Friday to discuss the vexed issue with the State Government and local NGOs. Mr Chandrashekhar will be the second Cabinet Secretary after BK Chaturvedi to visit the State with the issue of uranium mining high on his agenda. He is scheduled to meet Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy and Governor RS Mooshahary. He will also deliver the keynote address at the State Civil Service Day function in the city on August 22. "Mr Chandrashekhar will discuss the issue of uranium mining and other developmental matters with the State Government," Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee said on Wednesday. The Union Cabinet Secretary's tour of Meghalaya will be preceded by a separate visit by Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Anil Kakodkar on Thursday. Sources said Mr Chandrashekhar would also hold discussion with leading NGOs, including KSU and FKJGP, to know their opinions on the issue of uranium mining and seek their cooperation to facilitate early start of the Rs-1000 crore project. He is likely to make a round of the city on Saturday and will leave for New Delhi on Sunday. Meanwhile, it was learnt that the State Government is likely to speed up the work of the All-Party Committee on Uranium Mining (APCUM) in view of mounting pressure from the Centre for giving permission for the uranium project. Earlier, the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment had issued environmental clearance for the project.