Ramgarh: The Central Coalfields Limited’s Saunda-D project under Barka-Sayal Area in Ramgarh district is set for mine expansion through a private outsourcing company to increase coal output.For expansion, CCL has served eviction notices to more than 1,000 families living in the project area, treating them as squatters who are not liable to get displacement benefits under the R&R Policy of Coal India. The move has triggered widespread protest in the area, with nearly 10,000 people facing displacement. Residents said that it’s a question of survival of a govt-notified panchayat under Patratu block of Ramgarh district.According to the officials, CCL is planning to increase production from Saunda-D by engaging a mine developer-cum-operator (MDO) or outsourcing agency. To make land available for mining, notices have been issued to families settled on CCL land over the years.However, affected families claim they have been living in a govt-notified panchayat there for decades and have developed a full settlement with houses, schools and shops. They alleged that CCL is denying them rehabilitation and resettlement benefits by declaring them encroachers.Mukhiya of Saunda-D panchayat Upendra Sharma said, “Over 1,000 families will become homeless due to this.”Villagers said their forefathers had given land for coal mining in the past and they were settled in the present location by the company itself, but now they are being termed as illegal occupants.On Saturday, hundreds of affected people also held a meeting at Saunda-D and demanded proper compensation, employment and rehabilitation as per Coal India R&R Policy before any eviction. They warned of intensifying agitation if CCL forcibly evicts them without settlement.Ajay Mehta, project officer of Saunda-D project under Barka-Sayal Area of CCL, said that expansion is necessary to meet coal production targets and eviction notices have been served as per rules.
