First meeting of the Jharkhand green energy task force focuses on the draft Terms of Reference
In its meeting on Monday, the Jharkhand Task Force for Sustainable Just Transition discussed a draft Terms of Reference (TOR) and agreed to conduct a series of consultations with key stakeholders, such as industry, business sectors, and public sector entities.
Among the key details that emerged from the first meeting of the task force were mapping coal mining and its impact on local economies, a pilot study of coal mine closure based upon standard operating procedures developed by the Coal Controller, mapping of earnings from other just transition initiatives undertaken by international governments, and developing a climate-free agricultural practice.
A K Rastogi, the task force chairman, told The Indian Express, “We have prepared a draft agenda as of now.” As well as mappings, we will conduct a vulnerability assessment of coal mining districts and a socioeconomic impact assessment of planned or unplanned coal mine closures. We anticipate preparing the final TOR by the end of January.”
As part of India’s commitment to achieve 500GW of non-fossil fuel energy by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2070, a task force was set up earlier this month.
With 204 mining leases and 7853 legal dealers, Jharkhand has the largest coal reserves in the country and employs thousands of people across six districts. India’s mineral resources are owned by 40 percent of the state. According to the mines department, approximately 65 percent of mining royalty revenues come from coal. The Jharkhand government collected a total of Rs 3278.33 crore in FY 2020.
