December, 2024 Newsletter: Opposition to the Public Hearing for the Acquisition of Ambajit and Harla villages in Badam block of Hazaribagh, Jharkhand on 23 December, 2024

Monthly Newsletter

December 2024

Justice in Mining Network 


1. Forging Pathways: Achieving Mineral Justice in the Asia Pacific Energy Transition

This year on Human Rights Day (December 10th, 2024), the Asia Pacific-Transition Minerals Alliance Working Group (AP-TMA WG) webinar brings together key voices from across the Asia Pacific to reimagine how transition mineral governance can drive human rights, justice and equity across the green energy and technology supply chain. Researcher, Deepti Mary Minj presented the case of transition minerals in India in the webinar, titled, "Forging Pathways: Achieving Mineral Justice in the Asia Pacific Energy Transition." 

Other presenters were- Beverly Besmanos (Phillipiness, Bantay Kita); Tatyana Sedova (Transparency Accountability Consulting), Danila Bekturganov (Civil Expertise Public Foundation); Andre Barahamin (IRMA), and Dr. Igor Gryshko (United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).


 

Fig 1: Poster of the AP-TMA webinar 

As the world intensifies its commitment to clean energy, the rapid demand for minerals critical to these technologies has introduced new layers of environmental, human rights, and governance challenges. This webinar provides a unique platform for collaboration across borders and disciplines, highlighting interconnected themes of transition mineral governance, local community empowerment, and climate action in the face of unprecedented global pressures within the energy transition.


 

Fig 2. The front gate of Azure Power's solar plant in Mikir Bamuni. , Photo Credit: Mahmodul Hassan

Critical minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt, graphite and other critical minerals are essential for the economy's green transition. These minerals are essential for their uses in green technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric vehicles which are integral to the transition toward clean energy and a low-carbon economy. The reserves of the critical minerals have been found in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Ministry of Mines, out of the 38 critical mineral blocks notified for auction, 14 blocks have been auctioned successfully. A report from a civil rights group has raised allegations of corruption and human rights violations linked to Adani's solar power project in Gujarat and Assam. Many renewable energy projects, including solar and wind, require vast expanses of land. In India, the land designated for such projects is often community-used common land or areas classified by authorities as "wasteland." These practices frequently lead to disputes and tensions with local communities.


2. Opposition to the Public Hearing for the Acquisition of Ambajit and Harla villages in Badam block of Hazaribagh, Jharkhand on 23 December, 2024



 Fig. 3: Woman with Placard: “Land is our life” | Photo Credits: Deepti Mary Minj

The public hearing organized by Hazaribagh Land Acquisition for National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)- Badam coal block in Ambajit Middle School premises was canceled due to strong opposition from the villagers. Circle Officer Manoj Kumar had to give a written paper with signatures and stamp to the villagers confirming this. Since 10am in the morning, thousands of people from many affected villages like Gondalpura, Babupara, Rawatpara, Gali, Balodar, Hahe, Badam, Ambajit, Rudi etc. had gathered carrying placards against NTPC Badam Coal Company demanding company go back and cancellation of public hearing. Many police forces were deployed by the administration to maintain law and order. The villagers said that when we do not want to give our land to any coal company, then why is this public hearing being held. They said, “We earn our family's livelihood from our three-crop land. Even if we have to sacrifice our lives for the future of our children, we will not step back.”

   


Fig. 4: Notification of Public Hearing in Badam for NTPC on 23 December 2024



Fig. 5: A written, signed and stamped letter from the CO about the cancellation of public hearing after protest



   

Fig. 6: Young man cautiously looking at the tear-gas kit with the para-military personnel



Fig. 7: Women protesting the public hearing with placard, “Neither Lok Sabha, nor Rajya Sabha, most supreme is the gram sabha!” 



3. Public consultation on the draft amendments proposed in the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Amendment (CBA (A&D) Bill, 2024.


Ministry of Mines invited feedback and comments on the draft amendments to the CBA (A&D) Bill that is an attempt to amend the 1957 Act that is overarching in land acquisition for coal. The most crucial element of the amendments is that it aims to include the used mine or de-coaled land for public utility such as nuclear plant or other mega infrastructural projects. JiMN along with the consultation of allied researchers and activists sent following crucial feedback 

i. The amendments must assert that the CBA (A&D) A should adhere to the provisions of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013, i.e. is a law that aims to ensure a fair and transparent process for land acquisition. Consent and SIA be made mandatory for acquisition under CB(A&D)A. 

ii. The de-notified land be returned to former (original) owners and not transferred to other mega-infrastructural projects. 

iii. The private, sub-contracted Mining and Developer Operators (MDOs) should be held accountable for the fair and necessary compensation, resettlement and rehabilitation. 

iv. There be a period during which all land records are updated by field surveys in which the people participate. 

v. The government needs to organize compulsory 'land camps' at the Anchal to provide community ownership for the gair-mazurwa (community land) in names of settled occupants. 

vi. As one party of the dispute itself, the Coal Controller can hardly be considered to be an impartial judge of cases, determining compensation under sec.14 CB(A&D) A.Thus, an external, independent body needs to be established to fairly resolve disputes. . , 

vii. Fifth and Schedule of the Constitution, PESA Act, and LARR, 2013 should have supremacy over the CBA (A&D) Act. 

viii. India should aim towards reducing coal-dependence, cleaner energy to protect the environment and protecting the special rights of Adivasi (indigenous) people. 


News Articles

POSCO's double standard: union-busting behind ESG claims. 2 December, 2024. Industriall Global Union. 

Plea to ensure green funds for abandoned mines, quarries . 3 December, 2024. Times of India. 

JSPL is cutting 95 acres of forest through fake proposal. 5 December, 2024. Kelo Desk. 

Public hearing of Prismo Steels Private Limited at Punjipathra in Raigad district on December 23: Preparation for protest. 6 December, 2024. Dinesh Mishr. The Blast. 

Digging in their heels to protect Tij Raja's abode against Vedanta's next bauxite mining venture in Odisha. Prashant Rahi. 6 December, 2024. The Polis Project. 

Adani plans big new coal-power plant in tigerland. Ayaskant Das. 9 December, 2024. Adani Watch. 

Himanshu Kumar's cycle march from Delhi to Mumbai continued his legacy of advocacy against oppression. Prasahnt Rahi. 13 December, 2024. The Polis Project. 

Jharkhand Plans Mining Sector Revival Despite 40% Share in Nation's Minerals. 14 December, 2024. Team Town Post. 

Five children injured in 'encounter' between security forces and Maoists in Bastar. Nikita Jain. 17 December, 2024. Maktoob Media. 

Activist claims that Abujhmad encounter was fake, four children injured. Ritesh Mishra. 18 December, 2024. Hindustan Times. 

Supreme Court calls for comprehensive policy to protect sacred groves. 18 December, 2024. Sumit Kumar. The New India. 

The temple's private land was snatched to benefit JSP. 19 December, 2024. Kelo Desk. 

Laws are not for cutting trees, but for saving them...Supreme Court's clear statement. 19 December, 2024. Vayam Bharat. 

Big Adani coal mine seeks 40% expansion. Ayaskant Das. 20 December. Adani Watch. 

Public hearing of Prismo Steel Private Limited was held amidst heavy opposition.. Affected people of the red zone were not aware of it!! 24 December, 2024. Amar Khabar. 


Video Clips

Will the entire forest be destroyed? What fear are haunting the villagers? 3 December, 2024. YNews India

Blast happened in Rungta mines . 3 December, 2024. 

The History, Philosophy, Culture & Struggles of Adivasis: Ashwini Kumar Pankaj talks to Abhay Kumar. 10 December, 2024. 

Jindal's employees ran their car over protesting local workers and beat them up . 20 December, 2024. Justice Voice. 

NTPC Badam coal project public hearing canceled due to massive protest from villagers. 23 December, 2024. Panchayat News.  

Is the forest being cleaned based on a fake Gram Sabha proposal? DFO issued an order. 24 December, 2024. Justice Voice. 


 



 


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