CM stresses on rehabilitation before mining

Expressing his concern over poor situation of relief and rehabilitation practice in Jharkhand directly affecting lakhs of tribal and other inhabitants of mineral rich areas, Chief Minister Raghubar Das has directed coal mining firms to look into these crucial aspects.

While reviewing projects related to coal blocks in the State on Monday the Chief Minister was also particular about the measures mandated under the corporate social responsibilities to take relief and amenities to the affected families.

“Rehabilitating the displaced from mining areas should be in your priorities. People who have vacated their land and belongings for ECL coal mines at Bohada village of Godda district should be rehabilitated first. Provide better facilities to the people there. Take piped drinking water to all the households there by September. Their villages should get all the facilities like streetlights, commutable roads, cooking gas connections to all etc. These measures would enhance faith into the Government along with improving their lifestyle and ease their day to day affairs,” said the CM during the meeting also attended by Chief Secretary Sudhir Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the CM Sunil Kumar Barnwal and senior officials of various Departments and coal PSUs.

He mentioned about the trend going on the State under which lands are taken from raiyats but no commitment made to them are fulfilled. “The land owners have been dumped despite given promises before taking their land for mining and other purposes in the State. It would not continue like this now. Our Government has rehabilitated many people and we would ensure that the displaced are given ownership rights over their new land,” the CM instructed. 

He also talked about employing locals in coal dispatch work in order to shun mafias operating in mining belts. “Cooperative or company under the watch of local administration can be formed to provide them jobs. CCL should also give preferences to local in employment. This will stop role of mafias,” said Raghubar Das.

He during the meeting directed Road Construction Department and coal companies for constructing good quality bypasses and roads after doing survey so that coal laden trucks can be prevented from entering populated localities. Home Secretary SKG Rahate, DGP DK Pandey, Road Construction Department Secretary KK Soan, Mine Secretary Abubakkar Siddique along with DCs of Latehar, Hazaribagh, Chatra. CCL CMD Gopal Singh and ECL CMD Sunil Kumar Jha also attended the review meeting.