6 GPs oppose coal mines over jobs, rehab issues

Chandrapur: Six gram panchayats (GPs) have resolved to oppose the Takli-Jena-Bellora (North) and Takli-Jena-Bellora (South) opencast cum underground coal mines of Aurobindo Reality and Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (ARIPL). The GPs have alleged indifference of the company towards rehabilitation and development of affected villages.
Company has failed to initiate dialogue with people over jobs in the mines and compensation for the land, as per the people’s representatives of the GPs.
A total of 11 villages coming under the gram panchayats namely Panvadala, Talkli-Bellora, Jena, Kadoli-Kiloni, Kansa and Dongargaon are going to be affected by the two mines. The company has obtained consent for land acquisition and subsequent mining after holding a public hearing on June 21. The company is going to acquire 936 hectares land.
Sarpanch of Panvadala, Pradeep Mahurkar, alleged that the public hearing was farce as the company officials did not answer any queries and issues raised by the villagers. “Officials made no mention of the rates they would provide against our land. Moreover, the company’s stand over employment, rehabilitation, health impact due to pollution and the facilities that would be provided to the affected villages too is not clear,” he said.
Saranch of Kansa, Mayur Tonge, claimed that the gram panchayats have repeatedly written to district collector and the company to come clear on issues raised by the villagers, but both have overlooked the pleas. “We have demanded for Rs50 lakh per acre for our land and jobs to every project-affected family. Company also needs to clear stand on issues like rehabilitation, pollution, health, roads etc before initiating any land acquisition process,” he said.
Sarpanchs of all of affected cillages have forwarded a memorandum to the coal minister and the chief minister through district collector on Wednesday. They claimed that if company fails to initiate positive dialogue and take the villagers in confidence, all six gram panchayats will oppose mining in the area and would not give an inch of their land for the project.
Project director of ARIPL, Anup Rai said the company is not in immediate need of land acquisition. Government has already provided them around 128 hectares land earlier acquired by M/s Central Collieries Company ltd (Daga mine) with the coal block. “This land is sufficient to start the mine and continue coal excavation for two years. Meanwhile, the process of land acquisition through district collector is underway. He will summon both villagers and the company for talks when the acquisition will practically begin,” he said.