Ranchi: Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary, Mrs. Alka Tiwari, has instructed officials to swiftly resolve the issues hindering the commencement of 34 coal blocks allocated by the State Government. She emphasized that the faster these coal blocks begin operations, the sooner economic activities and employment opportunities will boost in the region, alongside a significant increase in the state’s revenue.
Mrs. Tiwari was presiding over a review meeting on Wednesday, 15th January 2025 to address the challenges faced in operationalizing the allocated coal blocks. The review highlighted several key obstacles, including land acquisition, compensation issues, forest clearances, and challenges related to local rivers, roads, and drains that pass through the coal blocks. Some regions are also facing law and order issues, further complicating the process.
4 coal blocks to begin operations soon, while solutions for 9 others are on the way
To tackle these issues, Mrs. Tiwari directed all the concerned district commissioners to resolve these problems within a specific time frame. During the review, it was confirmed that four coal blocks – Rajhara in Palamu, Tubed in Latehar, Badam in Hazaribagh, and Moitra – would soon begin operations. These blocks are expected to be operational within the next week. Additionally, solutions for nine other coal blocks have also been nearly finalized, and they are expected to start operations soon.
The Chief Secretary urged coal block representatives to promptly provide necessary documentation to the relevant departments and district administrations. She emphasized the need for close coordination between coal companies and local authorities to address operational challenges. Furthermore, she advised coal companies to establish offices at their sites and undertake Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to foster goodwill and cooperation with the local communities.
For the state’s Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) coal blocks, Mrs. Tiwari called for enhanced coordination and proactive efforts from government officials to resolve the ongoing issues.
The review meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Forest and Environment Secretary Mr. Abu Bakr Siddiqui, Finance Secretary Mr. Prashant Kumar, Revenue and Land Reform Secretary Mr. Chandrashekhar, Mining Secretary Mr. Jitendra Singh, Mining Director Mr. Rahul Sinha, and Director of Information and Public Relations Mr. Rajeev Lochan Bakshi.
Also Read: CM Soren Highlighted Coal Mining Challenges, Calls for Better State-Center Cooperation
Also Read: State Government Orders Review of Mining Leases Across Jharkhand
