Marandi calls off dharna

Marandi today called off his 22-day dharna against non-implementation of a 2006 agreement by Panem Coal Mines Limited at Pachuwara village in Jharkhand's Pakur district after the company said it would be fulfilled in six months.

Chairman-cum-Managing Director Ujjal Upadhyay assured the Raj Mahal Pahar Bachao Samiti after a meeting that the 2006 agreement would be visible on the ground within six months.

"The meeting was successful," Upadhyay told reporters at Amrapara Block of the district.

"Schools, hospital and other things under the agreement will completed within six months," he said after meeting Samiti member Stephen Marandi, its president Vinaj Hembrom and convener Anil Minz.

The Panem -- a joint venture by the Punjab State Electricity Board and EMTA to produce and supply coal from the coal-mines of Pachwara exclusively to PSEB -- reached an agreement with villagers on November 30, 2006.

Under the agreement, the company was to provide irrigation and drinking water facilities and build roads, schools, a hospital, and an ITI.

While the Samiti alleged that nothing was done, the company claimed 80 per cent of the agreement had been implemented.

Babulal Marandi had launched his agitation on the Samiti's demands on November 16.