Issues like displacement, pollution, royalty were raised
The high-level meeting between Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Union Energy and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit saw exchanges of complaints about one another in the mining sector.
On the one hand, the CM raised side effects of coal mining, illegal mining and royalty to the State involved, Goyal stressed on increasing coal production from the mineral-rich Jharkhand.
The CM apprised the Union Minister about non-payment of compensation against the acquired Government land for coal mining by the companies and also non-renewal of the lease agreement. “The companies are continuing with coal mining without renewal of lease even after 30 years with the State which is causing loss of royalty besides being an illegal act. The State was getting 21 per cent royalty in 1994 which has come down to 14 per cent in 2012,” said the CM after the meeting in which top officials from the Centre and the State were present. He demanded to raise the royalty on coal up to 20 per cent.
The State Government also expressed apprehension about not extending correct information to the landholders about acquisition under coal bearing area which caused law and order problem later. “Goyal also agreed to that and vowed to make the provisions more transparent,” said an official present in the meeting. He also discussed measures to stop illegal mining and use of CISF and SISF into this and cautioned the coal companies for using unregistered vehicles for transportation.
The CM also urged the Union Minister for recommending 40.15 hectare Sugia coal block to Jharkhand to which Goyal said that the coal block allocation matter was pending in the Supreme Court and any decision was expected next month. Hemant Soren was also particular about companies not conducting mining on about entire 4,000 km2 of land acquired for the purpose. Coal companies are just conducting mining on 1,800 km2.
“The CM also stressed that the mining companies should share at least two per cent of their profit on CSR activities for the areas around projects. The Minister agreed to it. He instructed all the three companies functional here to spend at least Rs 75 crore on this and construction of toilets should be given priority,” said the official.
The CM also raised the issue of land reclamation on which coal mining activity has been completed or very near to be completed. The land can be used for resettlement and raising forest. The Minister said that companies should use latest techniques for making the used land productive. Use of national highways for coal transportation also came for discussion and CCl has been directed to construct Tandwa-Balumath road of its own cost by inviting open tender. Fire problem in Jharia mines also discussed.
In a meeting with power officials, Goyal assured all possible help from the Centre and suggested for 1,000 MW power generation through solar energy.