Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday reopened Jharkhand Mineral Development Corporation (JSMDC) owned Sikni colliery in latehar paving way for a large number of jobs in the extremist-hit district.
Around 133.7 acres of area under Sikni colliery phase-II was allotted to the JSMDC for 11 years by the State Cabinet for mining a couple of days back.
Notably, the Sikni coal project has total 410 acres at its disposal. Mining in 149 acres, comprising both forest and non-forest land, have already exhausted. Operations were stopped a couple of year ago over the issue of a mining lease for fresh stretches and lack of compliance on part of JSMDC after stage-II forest clearances were issued by the Union Ministry.
At least 40,000 families have been directly or indirectly affected by the closure. These families included employees of the coal mine and transporters. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the colliery can’t be run without cooperation from the local people of the State. Maintaining that he has not deviated from the set goal despite political challenges, Hemant said the State Government was on its job to create employment avenues. “We are trying to remove obstacles coming in the recruitment of teachers and para-teachers,” he added.
later, the Chief Minister laid foundation stones for a slew of projects, including offices of the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner, online at the Police line stadium in Daltonganj. During his speech, he cautioned the people against the middlemen who are fishing the pies meant for the poor. He also distributed at least rickshaws to 10 persons and laptops to three students belonging to SC/ST communities. Six junior engineers under MGNREG got appointment letter on contract. Jameen pattas were handed over to 33 Dalits.
However, the Chief Minister refrained from making any promises to the long list of wishes dished out by the local MP and MlAs. The demands included upgradation of Narsinghpur Pathra, Badgad and Ramgarh as blocks and even declaring Hussainabad a district. The Chief Minister, instead, reminded them that new blocks will add to the address of gathering of middlemen. He, however, assured to make land available for Nilamber Pitamber University.
At the beginning, mukhiyas left the police line stadium venue where the CM had had his programme for lack of proper seat facility there for them. The CM apologised to them and expressed happiness that they re joined the show of Statehood fortnight function.