For the thousand of labourers who were pushed on the brink of starvation due to closure of mines, the new Chairman of JSMDC (Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation ltd), Bidesh Singh, has a surprise in store. After Sikni, the independent MlA from Panki has vowed to make Jagaldaga and other abandoned mines elsewhere in the state operational during his tenure as JSMDC chief.
Singh, after days of uncertainty, will today assume office of chairman of the JSMDC.
“I will talk to the State and Central Government for resuming production at non-operational mines scattered across the State,” maintained Singh.
Significantly, the Panki MlA believes that resumption of mining activities will act as a catalyst for government’s effort being made to bring youths under the influence of naxal ideology back to mainstream of society. For Singh, opening up mines will help in preventing exodus of manpower out of a place.
“Majority of mines fall under naxal infested territories so opening up mines will help in countering naxal menace in those areas,” said Singh.
Notably, the new JSMDC Chairman against the popular perception defended the quality of coal that is being produced in Jharkhand and termed at par with coal which is imported from other countries by indigenous companies. “Sikni has world’s best quality of coal. The product will speak for itself,” added Singh.
Interestingly, the independent MlA who has been awarded the position, besides two other independents, sought to play down the impact of discontent brewing among other independent MlAs on his tenure.
“The Government will safely complete its tenure,” asserted Singh adding “other independent MlAs will soon be accommodated somewhere.”