Ranchi: Chief Miniser Hemant Soren and Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh today held a prolonged meeting to discuss the issue of acquisition of 24,000 acres of land by Coal India in Jharkhand. The meeting was held with the state government�s demand for adequate compensation by the Central government at the focal point.
Addressing the meeting held at Project Building, the CM said the Coal India should give an interest of 12 per cent on the amount of Rs 3000 crore which is to be given to the state for acquisition of government land in the state by Coal India. He said the Union rural development minister should talk to the Central government and make sure that the demand for compensation is fulfilled as soon as possible.
The Coal India chairman, also present during the meeting, assured to give a reply to the CM on the compensation issue in two weeks. Ramesh too, admitted that the Coal India should do justice by paying the compensation to the government of Jharkhand.
The Union minister said he would talk to the Coal India authorities again on the issue and also take up the matter with the Central government authorities. He said an amicable solution will be found on the issue so that there is no clashing point during discussions.
The Jharkhand CM said the Coal India should not ignore the welfare aspect of its business. He said the company should not forget that the state was paying in terms of growing pollution due to mining of coal and its transportation. The Coal India chairman has given a proposal to the CM to build a hospital at an expense of Rs 1200 crore under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The CM further said that the mining lease had expired in the year 2002. He said the lease was valid only for 30 years. He said no lease had been renewed yet which was a serious issue. He said the mining work had not been completed anywhere. He said there was need to create green zones through reforestation.