NTPC has deposited Rs. 108 crore with the Jharkhand Government as compensation for 450 acres of government-owned land acquired for its Keredari and Chatti Bariatu coal projects. The move, while in line with government guidelines, has sparked controversy among local farmers who claim they have not received fair or direct compensation for lands they have cultivated for decades.
The compensation covers land classified as “Gair Majrua Khas” and “Gair Majrua Jungle Jhari” – government land that is either uncultivated or forest-like. Many local farmers have been cultivating portions of this land for over 30 years and possess documents supporting their claims. However, the local circle office in Keradari did not verify these claims before the NTPC deposited the funds with the state government.
Farmers allege that the process bypassed them entirely, leaving them with token payments far below the official rate of Rs. 24 lakh per acre. For instance, the MDO (Mine Developer and Operator) companies handling the mines reportedly paid Rs. 3 lakh per acre for Chatti Bariatu and Rs. 1.5 lakh per acre for Keredari, prompting criticism from local cultivators.
Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh defended the process, stating that compensation has been paid according to government norms and land acquisition rules. He added that companies like NTPC are conducting their own land verification where the circle-level process has not been completed. Subhash Prasad Gupta, AGM of the NTPC Keredari project, confirmed that all payments were made strictly as per government guidelines.
Land Acquisition Details
- Keradari Coal Project (1,606.89 acres acquired):
- Raiyati land: 1,255.07 acres
- Gair Majrua Khas: 200.79 acres
- Gair Majrua Aam: 23.35 acres
- Forest/unmarked areas: 127.68 acres
- Chatti Bariatu Coal Project (1,589.8 acres acquired):
- Raiyati land: 1,071.09 acres
- Gair Majrua Khas/Jungle Jhari: 199.32 acres
- Gair Majrua Aam: 11 acres
- Forest land: 318.88 acres
While the NTPC payment follows the official rates for government land, local farmers continue to demand direct compensation reflecting the long-term cultivation and possession of the land. The issue highlights ongoing tensions between large-scale mining projects and local communities in Jharkhand.
