Dhanbad, Aug. 2: The Centre’s approval of a Rs 7,028-crore master plan to relocate the Jharia township, plagued by underground fires, has invited both grin and grouse.

While the Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) management is seeing it as a much-needed fillip to its resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) policy, the Jharkhand Coalfield Bachao Samiti — spearheading the cause of the affected people — and trade unions have expressed scepticism over the compensation clause.

Welcoming the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure in New Delhi that has also approved a similar master plan for Raniganj in Bengal’s coal belt, BCCL chairman-cum-managing director T.K. Lahiri said the go-ahead would expedite the execution of its rehabilitation plan. “We are concerned for our employees living in the Jharia fire zone. The Centre has given us a boost,” he said, adding that the Jharia Rehabilitation Development Authority was looking after relocation of non-BCCL people. “The process has begun in several areas. BCCL will provide the funds for carrying out the plan.”

Lahiri pointed out that the plan offered compensation not only to authorised BCCL employees, but also to illegal settlers. Altogether 16,000 houses are being built in non-coal bearing areas of the district to rehabilitate Jharia residents.

Besides saving lives, the plan would also “help India environmentally and economically”, as coal deposits burn everyday due to underground blaze causing huge losses to the country, he said.

The rehabilitation would not just help the company, which would be aided by the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction, but also the state in terms of royalty. “As far as we see it, it is a win-win situation,” Lahiri said.

Dhanbad deputy commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh conceded that the Centre’s nod would expedite the R&R process, particularly planning, land acquisition, survey and distribution of identity cards among the affected people.

Acting president of Jharia Coalfield Bachao Samiti Ashok Agarwal, however, claimed that the Centre’s master plan held little significance because the BCCL was already carrying out a pilot R&R project in Bokapahari. “We are not against rehabilitation. All we want is adequate compensation for the Jharia victims.”

Former Dhanbad MP Chandrashekhar Dubey welcomed the Centre’s approval, but frowned at a rehabilitation plan that threatened to “jeopardise” the lives of the people of Bhuli. “We will oppose any move that aims to evict Bhuli residents. The authorities can consider shifting Jharia fire victims to Belgarhia once that area is developed,” Dubey, also a veteran trade union leader, said.