Coal Companies Owe Jharkhand ₹1.36 Lakh Crore, Claims CM

Hemant Soren writes to PM Modi demanding recovery of outstanding dues

Key Points:

• CM seeks ₹1.36 lakh crore from central coal companies operating in Jharkhand

• Soren proposes interest payments or direct debiting from Coal India’s account

• State cites Supreme Court ruling on mining royalties to support its claim

RANCHI – Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to recover ₹1.36 lakh crore in outstanding dues from central coal companies.

Soren penned a letter to the PM on Monday, shared on social media Wednesday.

The move highlights alleged step-motherly treatment by the BJP-led Centre towards Jharkhand.

Moreover, Soren emphasized that the state’s demand is for justice, not special privileges.

"We are just demanding what is our right," the Chief Minister stated.

Furthermore, he proposed two solutions to ensure payment of the outstanding dues.

One option involves starting interest payments from Coal India until dues are cleared.

Alternatively, Soren suggested directly debiting the amount from Coal India’s RBI account.

The CM stressed that receiving these dues would help fight poverty in the state.

Additionally, timely payment would accelerate social and economic projects in Jharkhand.

Soren referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling on mining royalties to support the state’s claim.

However, despite legal provisions, coal companies have not made any payments.

On the other hand, Soren criticized the disparity in enforcing dues owed to and by the state.

This is not the first time the CM has raised this issue with the central government.