Union Coal Minister and Jharkhand CM Discuss Jharia Master Plan and Belgadia Township, Focus on Return of Mined Land

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy paid a courtesy visit to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren at the Chief Minister’s residential office on Wednesday, where extensive discussions were held on key coal and mining sector issues, including the Jharia Master Plan and Belgadia Township Project.

The meeting witnessed positive deliberations between the State Government, officials of the Ministry of Coal, and subsidiaries of Coal India Limited on improving coal mining operations and addressing long-pending issues in the sector. The Chief Minister presented the State Government’s views on several critical matters such as implementation of the Jharia Master Plan, progress of the Belgadia Township, compensation for government land, return of land where mining activities have been completed, review of pending balances, and the operationalisation of new coal mining projects.

Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy apprised the Chief Minister of challenges faced by coal mining projects and emphasised the need for coordinated efforts. Chief Minister Hemant Soren underlined that effective coordination between the Central and State Governments is essential for resolving issues related to coal mining in Jharkhand.

Highlighting the significance of the Jharia Master Plan and the Belgadia Township Project, the Chief Minister said these initiatives are crucial for ensuring a safe, secure and dignified life for displaced families. Discussions also focused on the early appointment of a full-time CEO for the Jharia Master Plan to expedite implementation.

Broad Consensus on Key Mining Issues: In the presence of the Chief Minister and Union Coal Minister, officials from both sides held constructive discussions on a wide range of issues, including:

• Royalty on minerals
• Rehabilitation of displaced persons
• Employment and compensation
• Policy decisions related to mortgage of government land
• Review and reconciliation of pending balances
• State support in reconciliation processes
• Return of land after completion of mining activities
• Curbing accidents caused by illegal mining
• Employment opportunities for local communities
• Resolving hurdles in operationalising coal projects
• Effective utilisation of CSR funds

Senior officials present at the meeting included State Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Private Secretary to the Union Coal Minister Pankaj Jain, Coal India Chairman B. Sairam, Advisor (MoC) B. Veera Reddy, CMD CCL N. K. Singh, CMD BCCL Manoj Kumar Agarwal, along with other senior officers.

The meeting reinforced the commitment of both the Central and State Governments to take forward coal and mining projects through cooperation, policy alignment, and focused implementation.