Coal production at three NTPC mines in Jharkhand has come to a complete halt following protests and disruptions allegedly led by former Minister Yogendra Sao and his supporters, resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 225 crore.
Due to the protests and resultant disruption in mining, the Jharkhand government alone has reportedly suffered a revenue loss of around Rs 100 crore. According to NTPC officials, mining and coal transportation activities have been severely affected ever since the demolition of a factory belonging to Yogendra Sao, which was constructed on land acquired for NTPC’s coal project. Since then, repeated disturbances have been reported at the Chatti Bariatu and Keredari coal mines, where production had already been partially disrupted for the past 15 days and has now stopped entirely.
NTPC has written to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Hazaribag district, seeking immediate administrative intervention to restore law and order and resume coal production.
The company has also demanded the registration of an FIR in connection with the alleged assault on a coal transportation truck driver. In its complaint, NTPC stated that groups of 50–60 men and women, allegedly armed with weapons, have been forcibly entering the mining areas, threatening employees, abusing them verbally, and disrupting operations. The letter addressed to the local police station names Yogendra Sao, along with Mohammad Rustam, Munna Rana, Yashwant Kumar, and Amit Kumar, in connection with the incidents.
NTPC has emphasised that the ongoing law and order issues in the coal project area are not only impacting its operations but are also causing significant financial losses to the Centre and other states dependent on coal supply.
The company has urged the district administration to take swift action to ensure security in the mining areas and facilitate the immediate resumption of production.
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