The Jharkhand High Court on Friday came down heavily on the State Government for failing to submit an action-taken report against Panem Coal Company over allegations of illegal mining in Pakur district. The bench of Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad granted the Government a final opportunity to file its reply by 19th September 2025, warning that strict orders would follow if the deadline was missed.
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The matter relates to a public interest litigation filed by Ram Subhag Singh in 2015, alleging that Panem Coal mined far beyond the permitted limit in Pachwara North and Central coal blocks. The PIL stated that the company failed to meet its obligations towards displaced villagers. During earlier hearings, the Government had acknowledged irregularities and submitted that the company had since exited operations, but no concrete action had been taken.
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The court noted that despite seeking multiple extensions to file an affidavit, the State has not provided any status report. The bench remarked that continued silence from the Government cannot be accepted when illegal mining and rehabilitation issues are involved. It directed the filing of a comprehensive affidavit by the next hearing date, failing which “strict orders” will be issued.
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Panem Coal was a joint venture between Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and EMTA Coal Mines. The case has been a long-standing point of contention in Jharkhand, with displaced families and rights groups demanding accountability and rehabilitation for years. The High Court’s latest warning puts additional pressure on the Government to act before the next hearing.
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