Coal India should renew its land lease in Jharkhand: CM

Coal India had acquired land after its nationalisation; has been continuing mining without renewal of lease

The Jharkhand government today said Coal India Ltd (CIL) should renew lease the vast stretches of mineral-rich land it acquired in the state after its nationalisation.

"Coal India had acquired land after its nationalisation. The lease ended in 2002, yet mining is continuing relentlessly without renewal," Chief Minister Hemant Soren told reporters here.

Claiming that the state has not been getting its fundamental right over mineral resources, Soren said it had asked CIL to look into the 'arrears' of Rs 3,000-4,000 crore (the approximate amount payable for the lease of 10-11 years -- 2002 till now) the public sector company owed to the Jharkhand government over the years.

"For a small state like Jharkhand the amount is very big, and if one adds the interest it could reach Rs 10,000 crore," he said, arguing the ongoing mining without renewal was "illegal".

Appreciating CIL's desire to open a medical college in Jharkhand, he asked to coal giant to make maximum investment in the state.

Soren, however, termed as "unfortunate" the public sector giant allegedly failing to pay the arrears.

He also raised the issue of CIL's washeries polluting river Damodar and sought a serious discussions on the important issues pertaining to Jharkhand.

"We discussed such issues with Coal India Chairman and the Coal ministry to return mined land which was not yet returned despite mining is over," Soren said.

Asked why the renewal issue was not raised earlier, Soren said "people" might have not raised their voice over it.

"(But) I have urged (Rural Development Minister) Jairam Ramesh ji to approach the Union government and initiate steps with regard to realisation of funds," he said.

Ramesh is the Chairman of the state's JMM-led Coalition government's Implementation Committee.