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The Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- The Wire
West Bengal: Protests Break Out Amid Corruption Allegations in Deucha Pachami Basalt Mining Project
Activists, economists and tribal residents have alleged numerous legal and financial irregularities, raising questions about the project's legitimacy and the transparency of its tender process. A group of economists, rights activists and politicians have demanded a judicial inquiry into the West Bengal Power Development Corporation (WBPDCL) basalt mining project in Deucha Pachami – one of the largest coal reserves of the country in West Bengal. Prasenjit Bose, an economist and activist, along with Jai Kisan Andolan leader Avik Saha, CPI(M) leader Goutam Ghosh, Congress state general secretary Ali Imran Ramz and tribal residents from the area have alleged numerous legal and financial irregularities, raising questions about the project's legitimacy and the transparency of its tender process. The allegations directly contradict an announcement made by chief minister Mamata Banerjee on February 5, 2025, during the Bengal Global Business Summit, where she declared that mining activities were set to begin. A ' bhumi puja' was organised the following day, February 6, which was met with protests from local residents, including tribal women. According to the activists, the state government has not yet submitted the mining lease application for the DPDH coal block, which was due in 2021. 'The state government has not yet applied for the mining lease. There is no coal mine at Deocha Pachami Dewanganj Harinsinga (DPDH) yet. Of the total 3,400 acres in the project, 431 acres are for the basalt mining project. A global Expression of Interest (EOI) to pick a coal mine developer was issued in December 2024 and extended to April 2025. The outcome is unknown. The Union Ministry of Coal is aware of all the irregularities but remains silent,' says Bose. The state cabinet cleared basalt extraction over 431.47 acres (≈174 ha) – an 'A-category' scale requiring Central Environmental Appraisal Committee and mandatory public consultation. Approvals later sought were 44 acres and finally 12 acres (4.856 ha), processed as Category B2, which carries no public hearing. The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) granted clearance for only 12 acres (4.856 hectares) in October 2024, categorising it as a 'B2 category' project to avoid mandatory public hearings required for projects above 5 hectares. This, activists claim, was done to circumvent mandatory environmental safeguards through what experts term as 'salami slicing' – breaking down a large project into smaller phases to avoid stringent clearance requirements. 'Out of the 431 acres, only 13 acres have received environmental clearance. If a larger area were involved, a public hearing would be required, so the project's category is being manipulated,' Bose explains. The West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) awarded the Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) contract to a consortium formed by Trancemarine and Confreight Logistics Pvt Ltd and Abhinna Mining Pvt. Ltd. in March 2024, based on the maximum revenue share of 71.5% for the state government. Trancemarine had no mining experience, Rs 6.65 crore net worth, and solely handled logistics. Its consortium partner, Abhinna Mining Pvt Ltd, has a net worth of only Rs 3.25 lakh and a debt-to-equity ratio of 77.42, which can be characterised as 'extremely over-leveraged.' Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd, a Kolkata-based chemical conglomerate, acquired 60% of Trancemarine in April 2025. Sturdy Niketan Pvt Ltd, incorporated in February 2023 with a paid-up capital of only Rs 20,000 and zero operational revenue, became central to the scheme. Despite having no business activity, Himadri committed Rs 150 crore in loans to this dormant entity for 'royalty payments related to mineral extraction.' This acquisition directly contravened the tender conditions, which explicitly prohibited any change in consortium composition during the bidding process or after project award without prior written permission from WBPDCL. The tender document clearly stated: 'No change in the composition of the Consortium shall be permitted during the bidding process and after the award of the project.' Despite this, Himadri's acquisition proceeded without disclosure to WBPDCL, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of the contract. 'A cabinet note stated that a basalt mine on 430 acres would generate a profit of 5,600 crore rupees. The extraction work contract was awarded to Trancemarine and Confreight Logistics Pvt Ltd, with the condition that ownership could not be changed. However, the ownership was changed. There is clear irregularity here,' Bose claims. Abhinna Investments, the parent company of Abhinna Mining, also owns GD Sports Ventures, which runs the Harbour Diamonds cricket team. Former Indian cricketer and current Trinamool Congress minister of state for Sports and Youth, Manoj Tiwary, is associated with the team. 'There is a series of strange coincidences and secrecy surrounding this project. The opaqueness of the tender process and subsequent acquisition of the consortium indicate links with the top political family in the state,' alleges Avik Saha, national convenor, Jai Kisan Andolan. Local tribal communities and villagers continue to protest against the project, citing concerns about displacement, environmental damage and lack of transparent consultation. However, the district administration and police have reportedly clamped down on peaceful protests, with allegations of intimidation and violence against protesters. This article went live on August twentieth, two thousand twenty five, at fifty-nine minutes past five in the evening. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Advertisement
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Farmers cry fertiliser black marketing, stage protest
BARGARH: Alleging rampant black marketing of fertilisers in the district, farmers from several villages gheraoed the Bhatli block agriculture office in Bargarh on Tuesday The farmers under the banner of Jai Kisan Andolan alleged that dealers and wholesalers were openly selling fertilisers at exorbitant rates, significantly above the government mandated prices. While the official price of urea is Rs 266.50 per packet, it is being sold for Rs 500. The DAP, priced at Rs 1,350 per bag, is selling at Rs 1,700. They further alleged that despite godowns being stocked with fertilisers, an artificial scarcity was being created to exploit farmers. The agitators demanded immediate supply of fertilisers at the prescribed rate. After prolonged discussions, block agriculture officer Debashish Khamari assured the farmers of timely distribution at fair prices and arranged fertilisers for the protestors. Hundreds of bags of DAP, urea and potash were distributed on the spot to farmers of Temren, Gopalpur and Sulsulia villages of Bhatli.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Activists, politicians seek court-monitored probe into Deocha Pachami project
A group of activists and politicians on Monday demanded a court-monitored inquiry into alleged irregularities at the Deocha Pachami project in Birbhum, saying the state government proceeded with a standalone basalt mine inside the coal block even as approvals for coal mining remained pending. Addressing mediapersons, economist-activist Prasenjit Bose, Jai Kisan Andolan's leader Avik Saha, CPI(M) leader Goutam Ghosh, and Congress state general secretary Ali Imran Ramz, and tribal residents from the area demanded an inquiry. 'There is no coal mine at Deocha Pachami Dewanganj Harinsinga (DPDH) yet. The coal block, allotted to West Bengal Power Development Corporation (WBPDCL) in December 2019, required a mining lease application and a plan by September 2021 – which has not been submitted till date. This is a breach of the allotment agreement with the Union Coal Ministry,' said Prosenjit Bose. 'A global Expression of Interest (EOI) to pick a coal mine developer was issued in December 2024 and extended to April 2025. The outcome is unknown,' Bose added. They accused WBPDCL of 'salami slicing' the proposal to secure a Category B2 clearance from State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) by first seeking approval for 44 acres and later 12 acres (4.856 ha) in October 204, thereby avoiding an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and public hearing. CPI(M) leader Goutam Ghosh said the risk of a coal mining project in the area was 'very heavy'. 'There will be water crisis, and farmlands will be heavily compromised, resulting in the loss of livelihood. Further, out of the total number of residents in the Deocha Pachami area, 40 per cent are from the Scheduled Castes. In the Global Business Summit, employment was guaranteed for these residents, but to date, only 1300 people have been given jobs,' claimed Ghosh. Avik Saha, a leader of Jai Kisan Andolan, alleged a broader pattern of mineral profiteering at the site. Jagannath Prabhu, a resident, said that 'Only 20 to 30 per cent of people here have actually received jobs… roads are terrible, there are no hospital services, and schools are in shambles.' (Parthivee Mukherji is an intern at the Kolkata office of The Indian Express)
