The NTPC’s Chatti Bariatu coal mining project remained at a standstill on Thursday as local residents continued their sit-in protest for the 14th consecutive day. Demonstrators allege that compensation for acquired land remains unpaid in several cases and that promised rehabilitation measures have not been implemented. Former Jharkhand agriculture minister and senior Congress leader Yogendra Sao alleged that his fire bricks factory was demolished without any payment of compensation. He also accused the authorities of large-scale irregularities in the land acquisition process for the project.
An NTPC official said the company has deposited Rs 108 crore with the Jharkhand Government as compensation for 450 acres of government-owned land acquired for its Keradari and Chatti Bariatu coal projects in Hazaribagh district. The land, categorised as Gair Majrua Khas and Gair Majrua Jungle Jhari, has in many cases been under the occupation of villagers for decades.
Villagers allege that the Mine Developer and Operator firms offered them “token compensation” far below the official rate of Rs 24 lakh per acre. For the Chatti Bariatu mine, Ritwik Company paid Rs 3 lakh per acre, while for the Keradari mine, BGR Company paid Rs 1.5 lakh per acre. Many farmers accepted the lower payments reluctantly, while others are still waiting.
Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh said the compensation was paid in accordance with government norms and existing land acquisition provisions. Keradari Circle Officer stated that no active verification of *Gair Majrua* land is being undertaken by the revenue office and that companies are conducting their own assessments. NTPC’s Keradari Project AGM Subhash Prasad Gupta said all payments had been made strictly under government guidelines, with unverified cases remitted to the state exchequer.
In the Keradari Project, 1,606.89 acres have been acquired, including 1,255.07 acres raiyati land, 200.79 acres Gair Majrua Khas, 23.35 acres Gair Majrua Aam, and 127.68 acres forest or other areas. In the Chatti Bariatu Project, 1,589.8 acres have been acquired, including 1,071.09 acres raiyati land, 199.32 acres *Gair Majrua Khas/Jungle Jhari*, 11 acres Gair Majrua Aam, and 318.88 acres forest land.
Protesters have warned they will continue their agitation until full compensation and rehabilitation benefits are delivered to all affected families.