The West Bengal government Deocha Pachami coal block mining project at Mohammad Bazar in Birbhum district has run into obstacles over land obtainment.

Know about Deocha Pachami Coal Block

Deaucha Panchami coal block of Birbhum Coalfield Area is World’s Second Largest Coal Block situated in West Bengal.

• This coal mine is the largest coal mine or coal block in Asia, due to the number of coal reserves.
• It is the newest coal mine in West Bengal.
• The proposed mining project at Birbhum coalfield Area has been recently in the news due to expected environmental concerns and displacement of the people from the same area.

The State government is scheduling to commence mining at the Deocha Pachami coal block, supposed to be the largest coal block in the country with reserves of around 1,198 million tonnes of coal and 1,400 million cubic meters of basalt, spread over an area of 12.31 sq. km, which is around 3,400 acres. There are around 12 villages in the project area with a community of over 21,000, including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Regardless Bengal government project is facing protests over land obtainment. The government owns 1,000 acres, of which 300 acres is forest land, but needs to acquire the rest to begin coal mining.

Why are locals upset?

The Union and state governments have announced compensation, including a rehabilitation package for the affected people. Rs 10-13 lakh per bigha (a third of an acre) will be provided to each household for their land.

A 600 square feet home will be provided to each of the dislocated households in a rehabilitation colony. An additional Rs 5.5 lakh will be given for relocation-related expenses.

The state government has announced that one family member from each displaced household will get a job as a junior constable in the state police. At least 160 agricultural labourers will get one-time compensation of Rs 50,000 and 500 days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.

• The project is encountering protests over the land acquisition of which a significant part is forest land.
• Locals, mostly Santhal tribals, have a close affinity with the land, with forests and waterways, and rely on it for their needs.
• The tribals were tortured and had been arrested under false and serious charges for protesting.
• Also, the project details have not yet been made public; and the environment clearance is awaited.

Deucha-Pachami-Dewanganj-Harinsinga coal block is the second-largest coal block in the world; it is the largest in India. The block has a thick coal seam trapped between equally thick layers of rocks, mostly basalt. It has a great economic value.
The existence of these thick basalt layers, however, makes mining of coal difficult; foreign investment and technology will be hence needed for mining.
An estimated 1,198 million tonnes of coal and 1,400 million tonnes of basalt are in the block.

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