Jharkhand seeks Rs 1.36 lakh crore coal dues from Union Government

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has urged the Centre to release pending dues of Rs 1.36 lakh crore from coal companies and central public sector undertakings against coal mining in the State. He also requested the Union Government to provide the remaining Rs 6,000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission, and support the State’s transition from a mining-based economy to a manufacturing and innovation hub.

Addressing the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog on Friday, Soren said Jharkhand wanted to be seen not merely as a source of mineral extraction State but as a partner in India’s development journey towards ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’ The chief minister sought a review of District Mineral Foundation Trust norms to strengthen the role of State Governments in project planning and fund management.

He also requested greater flexibility in land acquisition and land-use approvals for social infrastructure projects in districts falling under the command areas of the Damodar Valley Corporation, Coal India subsidiaries CCL and ECL, and other central undertakings. Calling for value addition within the State, Soren advocated the development of critical minerals-based industries, manufacturing units, and knowledge, research and innovation centres. He also pitched for making Jharkhand an investment destination for textiles, electronics, green energy, logistics and agro-food processing sectors.

Soren urged the Centre and NITI Aayog to formulate a long-term development vision for Jharkhand that links mineral wealth with human Capital development, industrial growth with employment generation and economic progress with social justice.

“If India is to become a developed nation by 2047, states like Jharkhand must be treated not merely as resource suppliers but as equal partners in development,” he said.