Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey on Wednesday stated that resolving the displacement of people in Jharkhand's coal belt requires active cooperation from the state government. Speaking to media on the first day of his three-day visit to Dhanbad, he highlighted that underground gas leaks and land subsidence have created critical conditions in several affected areas.
Addressing the media at Belgaria township, Dubey noted that the central government is often blamed for accidents and damages in these regions, despite the complexity of the rehabilitation process. He emphasized that coordinated efforts among the Centre, state, and local agencies are essential for successfully rehabilitating people living in danger zones.
The minister appealed to residents of Kenduadih and other subsidence and gas leak-prone areas to relocate to safer locations as soon as possible. 'People living in vulnerable areas should cooperate with authorities and move to secure places for their own safety,' he urged. Dubey added that infrastructure and civic amenities are being expanded at Belgaria township under the 'Jharia Master Plan 2.0'. He also mentioned that employment opportunities and skill development programs are being provided to rehabilitated families to help them become self-reliant after relocation.
During his visit, Dubey distributed e-rickshaws to rehabilitated families under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) to promote self-employment.
The minister reviewed coal production, safety standards, and ongoing development projects of BCCL. Officials briefed him on operational activities, ongoing projects, and measures to improve mine safety and production efficiency. A detailed review meeting with senior officials was also held.
Dubey supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for limited use of essential commodities and fuel conservation, stating that the world is moving towards a war-like situation and stressed the importance of saving resources like petrol and diesel. He alleged that opposition parties oppose even positive initiatives taken in the national interest. He added that the PM's appeals during the Covid-19 period helped create a positive atmosphere across the country.
Dubey chaired a high-level review meeting at Koyla Bhawan, where a detailed review of projects and development activities under the Jharia Master Plan was undertaken. He highlighted the critical role of all sectors in ensuring energy security and emphasized the need for a balanced approach integrating production efficiency with rehabilitation. BCCL CMD Manoj Kumar Agrawal, Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan, SSP Prabhat Kumar, and other officials attended.
