Marandi writes to PM on coal issue in Jharkand

Alleging that one company is involved in illegalities in Jharkhand, Marandi, who heads the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P), wrote to the Prime Minister that the Commission be headed by a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

"There is a high possibility that in other states also such joint ventures have been formed by the public enterprises for running illegal coal mining activities. It is a matter of high level investigation," he said in the letter.

Referring to the captive coal mines allocated to Punjab State Electricity Board in Jharkhand, Marandi said PSEB has formed a private joint venture called Panem, which is allegedly involved in illegalities.

Marandi accused the BJP-led government in the mineral-rich state of giving its "silent consent" to "theft" of coal through this venture.