The meeting, held at the Chief Minister's residential office here, was attended by senior officials of the state government, the Union coal ministry and subsidiaries of Coal India Limited.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday held discussions with Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on a range of long-pending issues linked to coal mining, land acquisition, rehabilitation of displaced families and operational bottlenecks affecting coal projects in the state.
The meeting, held at the Chief Minister's residential office here, was attended by senior officials of the state government, the Union coal ministry and subsidiaries of Coal India Limited. The talks focused on improving coordination between the Centre and the state to address structural and administrative challenges in Jharkhand's coal sector.
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A key issue discussed during the meeing was the return of land where mining activities have been completed. The state reiterated its demand for handing back such land after proper reconciliation of records, enabling its use for alternative development purposes. Officials also reviewed pending cases related to mined-out land and agreed on closer coordination to expedite resolution.
The rehabilitation of displaced families figured prominently in the discussions. Issues relating to compensation for raiyats, employment opportunities for locals affected by mining, and resettlement of displaced households were taken up. The Chief Minister underlined the need for ensuring that rehabilitation measures translate into secure and dignified living conditions for affected communities.
The meeting also revisited the Jharia coalfield Master Plan and the Belgadia Township project, which are aimed at addressing displacement and safety concerns in fire-affected coal belt areas. The state described both initiatives as critical interventions and discussions were held on strengthening their implementation, including the proposed appointment of a full-time chief executive officer for the Jharia Master Plan.
Government land compensation and issues related to jamabandi and land records for coal projects were another area of focus. The two sides discussed the need for policy-level clarity to resolve disputes and streamline acquisition processes without delay.
Use of corporate social responsibility funds for local development in mining-affected areas also came up for discussion. Officials spoke of directing CSR resources towards infrastructure, livelihood generation and welfare measures for communities living in and around coal mining zones.
Concerns over illegal mining and accidents in coalfields were raised, with emphasis on stronger monitoring and coordinated action to curb unauthorised operations and improve safety standards. The talks also covered operational hurdles affecting coal projects, with both sides agreeing on the need to remove administrative and land-related impediments to ensure smooth functioning.
Royalty-related issues and the state's revenue interests from coal mining were discussed, including reconciliation of dues with assistance from the state administration.
Senior officials present at the meeting included the Chief Secretary, senior officers of the coal ministry, and heads of Coal India subsidiaries operating in Jharkhand. Both sides described the discussions as constructive and stressed that sustained Centre-state cooperation was essential for resolving coal sector challenges in the state.