Jamshedpur: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren has raised serious questions over the renewal of Tata Group’s lease, alleging that large industrial projects have led to widespread tribal displacement without providing fair benefits to the affected communities.
Addressing a press conference at the Jamshedpur Circuit House on Saturday, Soren said that the construction of the Chandil Dam, which was linked to Tata’s industrial needs, displaced thousands of tribal families who have yet to receive adequate compensation or long-term benefits.
Champai Soren questioned why Gram Sabhas were denied rights over revenue generated from water supplied to the Tata Company from the Mirjadih Dam. He alleged that under the new PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) rules, the authority of Gram Sabhas over state-sponsored projects is being systematically weakened.
According to him, if a Gram Sabha fails to take a decision within 30 days, the project is automatically approved, effectively reducing the Gram Sabha’s role to a mere formality. He further pointed out that even when government ponds exist in villages, Gram Sabhas are not granted the right to collect revenue generated from them.
The former Chief Minister stated that tribal communities suffer the most due to industrial expansion, yet their rights over land and natural resources continue to be ignored. He demanded comprehensive amendments to the PESA Act to protect tribal interests.
Soren said that areas such as Jamshedpur, Adityapur, Chandil, and surrounding regions have been converted into industrial hubs, completely dismantling the social fabric of tribal society. “Industrial zones have destroyed the social systems of tribals and indigenous communities. Their economic condition has worsened, traditions are disappearing, and their land has been taken away,” he said.
Citing the Chandil Dam project, Soren said that more than 116 villages were submerged, all of which fall under the Scheduled Areas. “So many villages were drowned, but no one asked where the displaced tribals went,” he said. He alleged that tribal villages were sacrificed to sustain cities and industries, highlighting what he called a deep injustice against indigenous communities.
