Ranchi/Deoghar — The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has warned that Jharkhand is heading towards a new and unprecedented wave of displacement as corporate investment in the energy sector intensifies and several new coal blocks are opened across Santhal Pargana and adjoining regions. According to the party, the model of privatized coal mining will further devastate the lives, livelihoods and land rights of local communities.
As per the 2023–24 official report of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Coal India Ltd., Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation (JSMDC) and the Union Coal Ministry, 28 new coal blocks have been identified in Santhal Pargana on the basis of an estimated 15.05 billion tonnes of coal reserves.
CPI(M) leaders stated that the level of displacement, pollution, destruction of water sources and agricultural losses already visible in existing coal mining projects indicates that the future could be far more alarming.
The government claims that the operationalization of these 28 blocks will create 33,600 direct and 1,68,000 direct and indirect jobs, thereby reducing dependence on traditional agriculture and strengthening the local economy.
However, CPI(M) argues that the mining activities will be dominated by private corporate entities whose primary objective is profit maximization—not the protection of local communities or the environment. The party added that the state government, eager for revenue, is actively facilitating privatization; for example, the state-owned JEMCL has already acquired four coal mines in Santhal Pargana
Declaration of Saranda as a Wildlife Sanctuary May Intensify Displacement
The central government’s decision to declare the famed Saranda forest area in West Singhbhum as a wildlife sanctuary, coupled with judicial interventions, is also expected to increase displacement in the region.Addressing a press conference at the Deoghar Circuit House, CPI(M) senior leader Comrade Brinda Karat stated that public hearings with affected raiyats in Dumka and Pakur reveal the seriousness of the impending crisis.
Survey Findings: Agriculture Collapse, Pollution and Rising Accidents
State Secretary Prakash Viplav informed that party workers conducted a detailed survey across six blocks of Dumka and Pakur to assess the impact of coal mining and transportation. The survey highlighted:
The collapse of agricultural activities
Severe water and air pollution
A sharp rise in road accidents
Based on these findings, CPI(M) plans to launch a statewide campaign to protect the rights of raiyats and farmers. Demonstrations and submission of demand memorandums have already begun in all mining-affected block headquarters.
The party strongly opposed the handing over of coal mining operations to private entities. It alleged that the coal ministry is sidelining the public sector ‘Navratna’ company Coal India Ltd. in favour of private corporations—an approach that is against public interest and a direct violation of raiyat rights.
CPI(M) further criticized the MDO (Mine Developer and Operator) model, claiming that government coal companies are empowering private players while suppressing people’s rights and disregarding safety directives issued by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS).
Electoral Roll Revision Turning Into Citizenship Verification: CPI(M)
The party also raised concerns over the Election Commission’s intensive SIR (Standardization in Electoral Roll) revision exercise in Jharkhand, alleging that it is being used as a tool for citizenship verification.
During the form-filling process, voters are being asked to furnish additional documents:
1. Born before 1 July 1987 — One document is sufficient
2,. Born between 1 July 1987 and 2 December 2004 — Personal document + one parent’s document
3. Born after 2 December 2004 — Personal document + documents of both parents
According to CPI(M), such requirements indicate that the Election Commission is moving towards citizenship scrutiny in the name of SIR, which poses a serious threat to democracy and voting rights.
State Secretary Prakash Viplav was accompanied by Secretariat members Surjit Sinha, Akhileshwar Kumar Pandey, Sudhir Ranjan and Suresh Gupta during the press conference.
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