The chairman of Coal India limited PM Prasad has said that the new Jharia master plan for rehabilitation of families living in the fire zone of Jharia coalfield is under active consideration of the central government and it would be implemented expeditiously once the union cabinet approves the same.
He said that the union ministry of finance is reviewing the master plans at present after which it would be forwarded to the union cabinet for approval.
Talking to media persons here on Wednesday evening on occasion of CSIR foundation day celebration at Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) he said that underground fire and subsidence in Jharia coalfield existed before nationalization of the coal sector and the area under underground fire has come down substantially due to consistence attempts taken to contain them.
It may be noted here that the tenure of the Jharia Master Plan has expired in August 2021 and shifting of families including Land Title Holders (LTH) besides others hangs in balance. According to reports, the CIL has proposed monetary compensation to the LTH families instead of shifting them to flats being constructed under the master plan as has been awarded in case of encroachers. According to him, the CIL is working on a long term plan for increasing coal production in all its subsidiaries.
Chairman refused to comment on the miners wage issue terming it as pending in Court.