Jharkhand government challenges Centre's coal block auction decision in SC

Centre should have taken Jharkhand into confidence, says CM Hemant Soren

Ranchi: Hemant Soren government has moved the Supreme Court against the Centreś decision to auction coal blocks in the state.

Speaking on the government move, Soren, speaking to mediapersons at Project Building, Ranchi, Saturday said, ¨This is a major policy decision of the Central government. The Centre and the state government can move ahead through coordination. It can set an exemplary tradition.¨

Soren said the Centre should have first taken Jharkhand government into confidence before going head with the coal auction decision.

¨The Centre should have first assessed the needs of the industries and businesses already shut down. Mining has always been a flagrant issue in the state. Now a totally new procedure is being followed. There is possibility that we may slip back into the old system,¨ said Soren.

¨Even after getting rid of the old mining system, the raiyats have not got their rightful till date. Displacement continues to affect local farmers. Issues and land disputes are entangled at a large scale. Workers and other stakeholders have taken to streets. We had requested the Centre not to take hasty decision, but did not get any assurance,¨ rued Soren.

Soren alleged that the Centre´s coal policy lacked transparency. ¨There was a need to conduct a survey in the state to find out as to how many people would benefit from the move and how. Also, it is not clear as to how foreign investment would take place during lockdown. This is why Jharkhand has decided to contest the Centreś decision legally,¨ he said.

Soren accused Narendra Modi government of playing hostage to a pressure group of powerful businessmen.