The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved the Revised Jharia Master Plan (JMP), aimed at tackling long-standing issues of fire, land subsidence, and the rehabilitation of affected families in the Jharia Coalfield. The total financial outlay for this revised plan is ₹5,940.47 crore.
The revised JMP adopts a phased approach to address fire and subsidence and rehabilitate affected families on a priority basis, starting with the most vulnerable sites. A strong emphasis is placed on sustainable livelihood generation to support resettled communities, ensuring they are not only housed but also economically empowered.
As part of the rehabilitation strategy, skill development programmes will be introduced to enhance the employability of those displaced. Additionally, rehabilitated families—both Legal Title Holders (LTH) and Non-Legal Title Holders (Non-LTH)—will receive a Livelihood Grant of ₹1 lakh and will have access to credit support of up to ₹3 lakh through an institutional credit pipeline.
The plan also includes the development of robust infrastructure and amenities at all resettlement sites, including roads, electricity, water supply, sewerage, schools, hospitals, skill-development centres, and community halls. These provisions will be implemented according to the recommendations of the Committee for Implementation of the Revised Jharia Master Plan, ensuring a holistic and humane approach to rehabilitation.
Furthermore, a Jharia Alternative Livelihoods Rehabilitation Fund will be set up to support livelihood-related activities, and skill-development initiatives will be conducted in collaboration with Multi-Skill Development Institutes in the region. These measures aim to promote self-reliance and sustainable income-generation opportunities for all displaced families, making the Revised JMP a significant step toward long-term socioeconomic progress.