Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh Government has sent a notice to National Coalfields Limited (NCL) over the differences cropping up between villagers, NGOs and companies mining iron ore and coal in the State resulting in closure of operations affecting the State exchequers. The Bhupesh Baghel Government has asked the representatives of NCL to immediately resolve the crisis with other stakeholders.
NCL is a joint venture company between the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) and Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC). “The mining lease for iron ore in Bailadila Hills in Dantewada had lapsed and fresh action needs to be taken on whether or not new leases will be issued,” said the note to NCL.
A senior NMDC official said that mining has been halted in the region because of the agitation and inquiries initiated by the State government. The tribals, villagers have argued that those who have either signed or put their thumb impressions during the gram sabha meeting in April 2014 are either no more alive or their consent was taken forcefully and hence now all the conditions and compensation issue has to reviewed in a fresh gram sabha meeting.
Baghel has ordered a probe into complaints received against the gram sabha which earlier had approved the project way in 2014 under the BJP ruled Raman Singh government. What further has complicated the issue is a report by district administration that explains the said gram sabha meeting of 2014 was a fake one as only 109 villagers signed in the state government register whereas 806 lived in the village then.
Recently at a gram sabha meeting at Hiroli, a village panchayat located in Dantewada where there was a demand for closure of the mines and alleged they were not paid compensation by the state government.
Besides NCL, the other company whose works will be severely impacted is Adani Enterprises appointed by NMDC as a Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) for the mine in December 2018.” said sources in the government. While NCL is yet to respond to the demands, Adani conveyed that they came into picture after bidding in December 2018 and the gram sabha had approved in 2014.
But political sources said that the issue is due to emerging differences between Baghel and State Health Minister TS Singh Deo who was one of the contenders for the Chief Minister post when Congress decimated the BJP's 10 year rule.
“Singh Deo is considered to be the undisputed leader of mineral-rich Sarguja district where most of the mining area falls and has several times lodged his grudges to the party high command against incumbent CM. He had been eyeing for the CM post since Congress came into power. Singh has not heeded to the pleas and interest of the displaced people in mining area citing economic loss to the government, Baghel is all out to protect the interest of the farmers, tribals and affected people. With Adanis already a recognized MDO, connivance between political and business interests in Sarguja Ambikapur mine rich area cannot be ruled out,” said a state government official camping in national Capital to get resolve the crisis.