Tribal Communities Struggle as Coal Mining in Taljhari, Jharkhand Takes Center Stage

The Rajmahal Opencast Coal Project (OCP) in Godda district of Jharkhand has been facing opposition from locals, particularly in Taljhari, where farmers rely on their land for their livelihoods. The project’s production has stalled due to these protests, and the Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) is under pressure to supply more coal to power stations operated by NTPC Limited. Land acquisition for the project has been held up due to the delayed implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996, which would give gram sabhas or village councils power over administrative issues, including land acquisition. Although Taljhari falls under Scheduled Areas, which would make it subject to PESA, the law is yet to be implemented in Jharkhand after 27 years. Consequently, the government has turned to the CBA Act, the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development), which takes precedence over laws seeking to protect the region’s indigenous population. While provisions of PESA have been integrated into the Panchayati Raj system in Scheduled Areas of Jharkhand, they are vague and poorly implemented, and the area is said to be vulnerable to outside interference in spite of existing laws.