Ranchi– The Jharkhand Congress has taken decisive steps to address the plight of displaced communities in mining-affected regions, forming a five-member inquiry committee to probe allegations of exploitation by mining companies and questionable involvement of local administration.
In a high-level meeting held in Ranchi on Wednesday, Jharkhand Congress in-charge K. Raju and committee coordinator Minister Radha Krishna Kishore reviewed the ongoing displacement issues in Badkagaon and Keradari blocks under Hazaribagh district, as well as Patratu in Ramgarh district. The meeting, attended by former minister Yogendra Saw and former MLA Amba Prasad, highlighted concerns over the continuous exploitation of displaced people by mining firms and suspected complicity of local authorities in favoring mining projects.
Under the directives of Mr. Raju, the five-member committee is scheduled to convene at the Congress headquarters in Ranchi on Thursday. The committee will discuss solutions to displacement-related problems and prepare a proposal to be presented in the upcoming Cabinet meeting on Friday. The aim is to ensure effective implementation of the Land Acquisition Act 2013, smooth functioning of the displacement commission, timely payments to local laborers under HCL rules, and resolution of issues related to Patratu Vidyut Nigam Limited and the Patratu Chai Dam project.
The committee plans to visit the affected areas of Badkagaon and Keradari, conduct on-ground investigations, and submit a comprehensive report to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. However, the originally scheduled visit on February 5 has been postponed due to a sudden Cabinet meeting. A new date for the tour will be announced shortly after the Cabinet session.
Minister Radha Krishna Kishore assured former MLA Amba Prasad and Yogendra Saw that the committee would raise the displacement issues in the Badkagaon assembly constituency during the Cabinet meeting. Following this, a tripartite dialogue involving the government, affected parties, and stakeholders will be facilitated through in-charge K. Raju to resolve all outstanding matters.
The Congress's initiative underscores growing concerns over mining-induced displacement in Jharkhand, where communities have long alleged inadequate rehabilitation and compensation. The committee's findings are expected to pave the way for policy interventions to protect the rights of displaced populations.
