Rural Residents Urge Chief Minister and Governor to Prevent Shutdown of PEKB Coal Mines, Citing Potential Unemployment Crisis
Group of Villagers presenting Memorandum in Rajbhavan at Raipur
TFP Bureau,Raipur; Sep 12, 2023: Tensions are rising among rural communities in Sarguja district as news circulates about the impending closure of the Parsa East Kanta Basan (PEKB) coal mine. This mine, allocated to the Rajasthan State Power Production Corporation Limited, is set to cease operations by the end of September, leaving local residents deeply concerned about a potential unemployment crisis.
In a bid to advocate for the continuation of mine operations, a group of over 30 men and women from villages including Parsa, Salhi, Janardanpur, Fatehpur, Tara, and Ghatbarra made their way to Raipur. They aimed to make their voices heard, initially outside the office of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Despite their determined efforts, they were unable to secure a meeting with the Chief Minister. Undeterred, they redirected their plea to Governor Vishwabhushan Harichandan at the Raj Bhavan.
These rural residents have embarked on their fourth trip to Raipur in as many months, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to prevent the shutdown of the PEKB coal mine. During their previous visit on August 21, they engaged in discussions with Deputy Chief Minister and local legislator T.S. Singhdev, urging him to support the regular operation of the mine. Their primary concern is the potential unemployment crisis that could affect more than 5,000 local youths if the mine closes its doors.
Members of this group underscored the significant progress and development witnessed in the region over the past decade, all of which could come to a standstill with the mine’s closure. They highlighted the mine’s positive impact, including access to free education in English-medium schools for local children, as well as doorstep health examinations and treatments. Moreover, various income-generation programs for local women, beyond household chores, are currently in place.
Representatives from Salhi village, including Mohar Poonarte, Suninder Uike, Krishnashyam, and Mohar Lal Kusro, echoed these sentiments. They expressed their eagerness for mine operations to resume, as their lands had already been acquired. They emphasized that any further delays would jeopardize the community and ongoing development initiatives under the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission (CSRLM).
From Ghatbarra village, rural residents Munna Yadav, Hooab Lal, and Ramesh Yadav added their voices to the appeal. They voiced their frustrations and questioned whether certain non-governmental organizations were pushing for the mine’s closure for political or personal gain. They asserted that those in support of their cause had already been compensated, while others, motivated by financial incentives, remained idle at the protest site.
Addressing the media, they stressed that their fourth trip to Raipur was a response to the urgent need for their demands to be addressed. They issued a warning that if the state government did not promptly resolve their concerns, they would be compelled to stage protests in Raipur alongside their families. Ultimately, they emphasized that it was the state government’s responsibility to address their grievances.
Recent concerns expressed by the Rajasthan Chief Minister’s government regarding coal supply from the PEKB coal block have further exacerbated the situation. With Chhattisgarh gearing up for elections, the government has promised free electricity to those reliant on the PEKB coal block. This has placed considerable pressure on the Rajasthan government, which has been receiving only limited coal supply from Chhattisgarh. Delays in the tree-felling process, necessary for mine operations, have resulted in protests and an inability to complete work on approximately 91 out of 135 hectares of land.
The urgency of this issue is underscored by the fact that nearly 5,000 families in the region depend directly or indirectly on the PEKB coal block for their livelihoods.
The passionate appeal from these affected rural residents leaves the future of PEKB coal mine operations and the welfare of the local population hanging in the balance. Only time will reveal the impact of their plea on this critical matter.
