Chiria Mines crisis: Former Jharkhand CM urges immediate restart of operations, warns of protest

Mail News Service

Chaibasa, April 26: Former Chief Minister Madhu Koda visited the Chiria Mines area to meet contract workers and assess their worsening condition due to the prolonged halt in mining operations.

Workers informed him that operations at SAIL’s Chiria Mines had remained completely suspended for the past six months, leaving around 250 contract workers without employment. They expressed deep concern over their deteriorating financial condition, stating that many families were now struggling for basic survival.

Taking serious note of the situation, Madhu Koda directed SAIL management and contractors to immediately resume mining operations and ensure prompt payment of pending wages. He warned that if no positive action was taken within a week, a memorandum would be submitted to SAIL authorities along with the affected workers.

He further cautioned that if the issue remained unresolved, a phased agitation would be launched to protect workers’ rights and livelihoods. Koda stressed that the continued closure of the mines had pushed workers and their families into a severe economic crisis.

Appealing to SAIL management, the former Chief Minister urged them to act with urgency and sensitivity to restart operations and restore employment at the earliest.