Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has warned the central government that mining activities in the state will be halted if central public sector undertakings (PSUs) fail to clear Jharkhand’s pending dues.
Addressing party workers and supporters on the 53rd foundation day of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in Dhanbad on Tuesday evening, Soren said the state government will pursue a legal battle to recover the outstanding coal royalty from the centre.
“In order to secure our rights, we will also have the mines closed if necessary. If we stop coal production, the entire country will be plunged into darkness,” Soren stated.
Soren mentioned that during the recent visit of Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy to Ranchi, he was categorically informed that compensation for coal mine land in Jharkhand would be determined by the state government.
“If this agreement is not honoured, then it is better to shut down the coal mines. The coal minister has argued that the land rates here are significantly high, but the state government has refused to lower them,” he said.
Soren further stated that the coal minister has been asked to arrange for the payment of ₹1.36 lakh crore in outstanding royalty dues from the centre.
The Jharkhand chief minister asserted that his government is committed to addressing the state’s concerns and is prepared to fight for its rights.
He emphasised that rights are not granted by request alone but must be fought for.
He also declared that land from which coal has already been extracted would soon be reclaimed. Additionally, he assured that his government is working in the interest of the people and will demand rightful compensation for their resources.
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