Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday gave instructions to Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) to ensure proper compensation and employment to people from Bhadravati tehsil of Chandrapur district in Vidarbha who were affected by land acquired for the coalmine in Chandrapur district. Last July, The Asian Age had exposed how KPCL cheated farmers and employees of the coalmine.
The CM held a meeting on Tuesday to sort out pending issues of these coalmine-affected people. Union Minister of State Hansaraj Ahir, who hails from Chandrapur, energy minister of Karnataka Shiv Kumar and managing director of KPCL were present at the meeting.
The CM said, “It was agreed that KPCL will take responsibility to implement all rehabilitation clauses mentioned in the agreement with Mine Development Operator (MDO).” He also directed KPCL to ensure proper facilities like employment and compensation for land to project affected people (PAP) and rehabilitation as per the state’s Relief and rehabilitation policy.
Despite the Supreme Court’s verdict, KPCL had tied up with Karnataka EMPTA for raising and selling of coal. The apex court had earlier cancelled coal blocks of KPCL as a joint venture was impermissible. The SC had, in its judgment dated August 25, 2014, stated that a joint venture in coalmine is impermissible according to provision in The Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act 1973. Notwithstanding, KPCL had formed a JV with West Bengal-based Eastern Minerals and Trading Agency (EMTA) and formed a new company, Karnataka EMPTA limited.
The Union government reallocated the same coal blocks to KPCL at Baranj in Chandrapur on March 31, 2015. The documents available with this newspaper revealed that KPCL had completely ignored the SC verdict and once again, signed an agreement with Karnataka EMTA Coal Mines Limited (KECML).
According to Pramod Mohod, President of Rashtriya Koyala Kamgar Sangharsh Sangh (RSKSS) and the documents, the Chandrapur collector on behalf of Maharashtra state government signed an agreement with KPCL on November 9, 2015 and accepted the rehabilitation package submitted by KECML. “Once there is no provision to appoint sub-contract or joint venture in coalmines, how can the state government agree to sign a MoU with mine operator (KECML),” questioned Mr Mohod. “It’s a violation of laws and contempt of court,” he added.
