Chief minister Hemant Soren has underlined the exigency for jobs to 75% locals in coal companies in the state and also stressed on the return of unused lands acquired by the firms to the state government. At a meeting with Union coal minister Pralhad Joshi in Ranchi on Saturday evening, Soren said sustainable development is only possible by addressing the concerns of the locals around the mining zones.
Joshi’s visit was aimed at working out modalities for making three coal sites—Rajmahal-Taljhari (Sahebganj), Hurl (Sindri) and Siyal (Hazaribag) operational which are owned by Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) but are facing issues related to land acquisition.
Conceding challenges on the ground in mining zones, Hemant said, “The crisis can be mitigated only by employing locals and ensuring their all round development and rehabilitation. Hence coal companies like CCL, BCCL and others must employ 75 per cent locals and also give preference to local contractors in awarding work up to Rs 1 crore. Moreover, the state government has also brought a rule of reserving 75 percent jobs to locals.”
Though Joshi didn’t make any commitment, he promised state government that his ministry would deliberate with all the stakeholders in the union government to accommodate and address the reeling concerns.
Soren also cited how central PSUs engaged in mining for years have been defaulting on paying royalties in tune of several crores to the state government and demanded that all the unused lands with them must be given back.
“The mining companies have acquired vast acres of land for decades for mining projects leading to massive displacement. However, those lands remain unused and displaced continue to face problems of proper rehabilitation. Those companies must give our lands back so that government can utilize them for development and rehabilitation purpose,” he demanded.
Also present at the meeting were senior officials of the state government and representatives from mining companies. This was Joshi second visit to Jharkhand since October this year.
