Mining of uranium in Meghalaya is crucial for India's future nuclear programmes, stated Union Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh. Aware about the opposition to uranium by NGOs and other environmental groups in the State, Ramesh told newsmen in Shillong today, "Our nuclear programme will not be able to expand, if uranium deposits in Meghalaya are not extracted,' adding, "Our nuclear plants cannot even carry 50 per cent of its capacity because the uranium deposit in Meghalaya could not be extracted'. Referring to the opposition to mine uranium ore in Meghalaya, Ramesh spoke about the pending Indo-US nuclear deal of being the outcome. "India is short of fuel and Uranium mining in Meghalaya is a matter of life and death for the country', stated the Union Minister. It may be mentioned here that the Atomic Minerals Divison (AMD) has found that there is 10,000 MT of uranium deposit at Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong-Domiasiat areas in West Khasi hills district. The Uranium Corporation of India limited (UCIL) has even prepared a Rs 814 crore mining project in the area. With NGOs and the present Government showing no signs to budge from the anti-uranium mining stand, Ramesh wanted the Government of Meghalaya to be convinced about the need to mine uranium. Today, he called on Deputy Chief Minister HS Lyngdoh to discuss the issue. Arguing that States like Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh have allowed the Centre to mine uranium ore from their States, the Union Minister also stated, "We assure that mining will be done in a responsible manner'. "The AMD has prepared a detailed project report where all issues will be addressed', stated Ramesh . However, he categorically maintained that the Central Government will not force it on the people. "There will be no mining of uranium if the people do not want it', concluded Ramesh.