The expansion of the Rajmahal Opencast Coal Project, a venture of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), is causing distress to the mostly indigenous residents of Taljhari in Boarijor block of Godda district in north-eastern Jharkhand. ECL has been trying to acquire 121.40 hectares of land from the village for some time to ensure sufficient coal supply to two power generation units of NTPC Limited. However, opposition from the residents has been keeping the plan on hold since 2018. While some residents have reportedly held ECL Chairman-cum-Managing Director and other officials hostage, others have faced police action. The villagers have been writing letters and demanding meetings with various authorities, including the Jharkhand Governor and the President, expressing their concerns over the same. The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) is not in force in Jharkhand, which is another cause for concern.
Apart from the threat to their land and livelihood, the residents of Taljhari are also concerned about the environmental and social impact of the coal project. According to some residents, coal mining has been happening around the village for about six to seven years, which has led to a shortage of water and increased pollution. They claim that when they submit plans for work under the District Mineral Foundation Trust, only those from influential people are approved, which highlights the lack of trust they have in the system.
Despite the opposition from the residents, ECL has managed to acquire some land, but so far, they have only been able to mine two-thirds of the area they plan to mine. In a letter to shareholders, ECL CMD Panda said the company’s production is likely to be lower by about 10 MT than the target every year due to the Taljhari issue. This has led to the company making alternative arrangements to supply high-grade coal from Raniganj Coalfields to the power sector, which may fetch a better price in the open market.
The villagers of Taljhari are struggling to protect their land and livelihoods, and it is yet to be seen what steps the authorities will take to address their concerns.
