Ranchi – In a major policy push, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved a ₹5,940.47 crore revised Jharia Master Plan (JMP) to address the enduring challenges of fires, subsidence, and displacement in Jharkhand’s Jharia coalfields.
The revamped plan includes a phased strategy for tackling the most critical fire-affected and subsidence-prone areas, ensuring swift and prioritized rehabilitation of vulnerable families.
A key highlight of the new plan is its focus on livelihood sustainability. The government will offer a ₹1 lakh livelihood grant and facilitate access to loans up to ₹3 lakh for both legal and non-legal titleholders.
Additionally, resettlement areas will be developed with full infrastructure: roads, water, power, sanitation, schools, hospitals, and skill centers. These initiatives aim to create a self-sufficient ecosystem for displaced families.
A dedicated Alternative Livelihoods Rehabilitation Fund will support income-generating projects, with skill-building programs in collaboration with Multi Skill Development Institutes.
The Jharia coalfields, plagued by underground fires and collapsing land for decades, have endangered thousands. The revised plan seeks to implement a humane, inclusive, and economically stable solution.
With inputs from IANS