Jharkhand's Hemant Soren Announces Legal Action Over Rs 1.36 Lakh-Crore Coal Dues from Centre

Hemant Soren, who recently took office as Jharkhand's chief minister, has announced legal steps to recover Rs 1.36 lakh crore owed by the Centre. This decision follows his earlier appeal to the central government for the same amount. Soren shared this update during a media briefing after his government's first cabinet meeting.

Soren's initial official engagement after re-election was with Prime Minister Modi in Delhi. They discussed various state issues, and Soren extended an invitation to the PM for his swearing-in ceremony. Despite the cabinet meeting, no ministers were sworn in on that day.

Legal Action for Coal Dues

The chief minister had previously urged the Prime Minister and Home Minister to settle Jharkhand's coal dues. On November 2, he posted on X, requesting them to address the outstanding Rs 1.36 lakh crore. Soren stressed the importance of this amount for Jharkhand's welfare.

Soren also appealed to BJP members, particularly MPs, to assist in securing these funds for Jharkhand. He shared a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, highlighting the urgency of clearing these dues for the state's benefit.

Impact on Development

Soren highlighted that unpaid dues from central PSUs like Coal India are rightfully Jharkhand's. He claimed that the delay in payment is significantly hindering the state's development efforts and socio-economic projects.

A recent Supreme Court ruling by a nine-judge bench supports states' rights to collect mining and royalty dues. This decision reinforces Jharkhand's stance on recovering its pending payments from the Centre.

The non-payment of these dues is adversely affecting Jharkhand's growth and essential projects. Soren emphasised that resolving this issue is crucial for advancing the state's socio-economic initiatives.