The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the revised Jharia Master Plan (JMP) for addressing issues related to fire, land subsidence (sinking of the ground surface), and the rehabilitation of affected families in the Jharia coalfield. The total financial outlay for the implementation of this revised plan is Rs 5,940.47 crore.
The phase-wise approach shall ensure that handling of fire,subsidence and rehabilitation of the affected families will be done on a priority basis starting from the most vulnerable sites, the government said.
The revised plan emphasises on creating sustainable livelihood for families being re-settled under the plan. “Targeted skill development programmes will be undertaken and income-generating opportunities will also be created to ensure economic self-reliance of the rehabilitated families,” said the government.
Further, a livelihood grant of Rs 1 lakh and access to credit support of up to Rs 3 lakh through an institutional credit pipeline will also be extended to both Legal Title Holder (LTH) families as well as Non-Legal Title Holder (Non-LTH) families.
Jharia coalfields in Jharkhand faced severe fire and land subsidence issues due to unscientific mining practices carried out before its nationalisation.
In 2009, a rehabilitation master plan was approved. However, progress had been limited. The master plan expired in 2021, but the issues still persist. Therefore, the government has now approved a revised master plan.
As per the government, 2009 master plan could not be fully implemented due to legal, technical, and social obstacles. Revised master plan has now been drawn up to address these challenges.
Additionally, comprehensive infrastructure and essential amenities such as roads, electricity, water supply, sewerage, schools, hospitals, skill development centres, community halls, and other common facilities will be developed at the resettlement sites. These provisions will be implemented as per the recommendations of the Committee for Implementation of the Revised Jharia Master Plan, ensuring a holistic and humane rehabilitation approach.
“As part of the livelihood support measures, a dedicated Jharia Alternative Livelihoods Rehabilitation Fund will be established to promote livelihood-related activities. Skill development initiatives will also be carried out in collaboration with Multi Skill Development Institutes operating in the region,” the government said.