Dhanbad GP in Kothagudem refuses NOC to SCCL until issues faced by villagers resolved
Dhanbad gram panchayat in Kothagudem district denied an NOC for SCCL blasting operations, citing pollution and safety concerns. Villagers raised issues over health, jobs and displacement, while officials assured that the grievances would be taken up with higher authorities
Kothagudem: Dhanbad gram panchayat (GP) in Chunchupalli mandal in the district denied issuing a no objection certificate (NOC) required for blasting operations by SCCL until the issues faced by residents in the mining-affected areas are resolved.
A resolution in this connection was passed at a gram sabha held on Thursday regarding the NOC. Dhanbad sarpanch Guguloth Jyothi, who chaired the gram sabha, complained that dust pollution was caused in the village due to Singareni mining activities and the residents were facing health issues.
The SCCL has taken up construction work, including a new coal handling plant siding, a roadway and an embankment as part of the VKCM opencast project expansion. Blasting was required to clear hard rock encountered during excavation work, for which an NOC from the GP was required.
During the gram sabha, the villagers alleged that SCCL officials failed to install water taps for drinking water purposes while allocating purified water plants to other GPs. Job opportunities were not provided to local youth, while giving priority to youths from areas unaffected by the project.
The explosions caused cracks in their homes; they were forced to live in a state of constant fear as stones were being hurled to distances ranging from 500 metres to one kilometre, posing a grave threat to their lives, they said.
They demanded development of a ‘Green Belt’, air pollution control measures and organisation of health camps in their village. Under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) framework, jobs, educational and skill development opportunities have to be provided to local youth.
They sought house plots for 15 families displaced from the Maya Bazaar area for the mine expansion. The villagers alleged that the SCCL refused to provide four truckloads of soil excavated locally to develop a ground for children to play, but the soil was transported to Paloncha.
Speaking on the occasion, VKCM project officer M Narasimha Rao told the gram sabha that he would take the issues raised by the villagers to the attention of higher officials and resolve them.