Coal crisis in Jharkhand: JMM demands coal allocation from Centre; Urges subsidized rates amid ongoing LPG crisis

Ranchi: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Thursday urged the Centre to allot sufficient coal to Jharkhand so that it could be sold at subsidised rates to the people through the public distribution system (PDS) to tide over the ongoing LPG crisis in the state due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.JMM claimed that the Centre’s foreign and domestic policies had pushed the country’s people and Indians overseas in immense stress. Addressing media at party office, JMM’s central general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said, “We (state) do not have any major minerals—coal or petroleum—under its control and the Centre must immediately think of amendments at the policy level. Due to this, the state govt is unable to extend relief to thousands across the state who are daily struggling for cylinders.”“We therefore demand from the Centre to allot substantial quantity of coal directly to the state, which will be distribute through our PDS network. We also demand that Coal India Limited must slash its coal prices amid the growing crisis as a hike in price will adversely affect every sector in the country, especially power sector,” he said.With several festivals lined up in coming days including Eid, JMM said that people need immediate relief. He also accused Centre of leaving crores of Indians stranded. “Around 2.5 crore people are working outside India and couldn’t come to the country due to air and sea route disruptions. Most importantly, lakhs of Muslims, who usually come homes during Eid couldn't do so this time. All due to failed policies of the Centre,” he said. A BJP spokesperson on the other hand accused JMM of playing politics over global crisis.