Ranchi, July 20: Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi on Sunday accused the Hemant Soren-led government of being responsible for the closure of dozens of iron ore mines in the Saranda region, alleging that the inaction has triggered unemployment, migration and poverty across mining-dependent areas of West Singhbhum.
On the second day of his three-day visit to the district, Marandi toured Meghahatuburu, Kiriburu, Tatiba, Baraiburu, Noamundi, Barajamda and Jagannathpur, where he interacted with BJP workers, villagers and mine workers to assess local issues.
Speaking to reporters in Noamundi, Marandi claimed that the state’s failure to auction closed mines had deprived thousands of people of employment while allowing illegal mining activities to continue unchecked.
“I met with party workers and villagers from the area. I became aware of the serious problems of unemployment and migration due to the closure of mines in the area,” he said.
Alleging government inaction, Marandi said, “The lack of auctioning of mines in the district is leading to increased unemployment and migration, and Hemant Soren and his state government are directly responsible for this.”
He further alleged that illegal extraction of minerals was continuing despite the mines remaining officially closed.
“Although the mines have not been officially auctioned, illegal mining continues unabated,” he said, adding, “I will demand that the state government auction the mines, stop illegal mining and raise the issue in the Assembly.”
The BJP leader also accused officials of facilitating the illegal exploitation of the state’s mineral resources.
“Government officials are orchestrating the theft of the state’s wealth,” he alleged.
Marandi said reopening the closed mines would generate employment for local youth, curb migration and check illegal mining activities in the mineral-rich region.
During his visit near Jhinkpani, Marandi met families affected by the closure of the ACC Cement Company, who expressed concerns over rising unemployment and the economic slowdown in the area. He urged the affected families to submit written representations so that he could raise the issue with the state government.
The former Chief Minister also alleged misuse of District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) funds, claiming that mining-affected areas continued to suffer from inadequate infrastructure despite the availability of dedicated funds.
“The district’s DMFT funds are not being utilised in the affected areas. The condition of schools, roads, health facilities and drinking water is in an abysmal state,” he said, adding that “People are forced to drink contaminated red water.”
Marandi said his three-day tour was intended to understand public grievances firsthand and strengthen the BJP’s grassroots organisation.
“My three-day visit is not merely a political event, but a campaign to understand the real problems of the people and strengthen the organisation down to the booth level,” he said.
The Jharkhand government had not responded to Marandi’s allegations at the time of filing this report.
