JMM Calls for Central Coal Allocation to Alleviate Jharkhand's LPG Shortage
In a significant development, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has formally appealed to the Central government to allocate a substantial quantity of coal to Jharkhand. This coal would be sold at subsidized rates through the Public Distribution System (PDS), aiming to mitigate the severe LPG cylinder crisis currently gripping the state.
Policy Failures and Resource Control at Heart of Crisis
Addressing the media at the party office in Ranchi on Thursday, JMM Central General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya articulated the party's stance. He emphasized that the ongoing conflict in West Asia has exacerbated the LPG supply issue, but placed primary blame on the Centre's domestic and foreign policies.
"The Centre's policies have pushed the country's people and Indians overseas into immense stress," Bhattacharya stated. He highlighted a critical structural problem: "We (the state) do not have any major minerals—coal or petroleum—under its control. The Centre must immediately consider policy-level amendments. Due to this lack of control, the state government is unable to extend relief to thousands across Jharkhand who are struggling daily for cylinders."
Dual Demands: Direct Allocation and Price Cuts
The JMM's demands are twofold and urgent. First, the party insists the Centre directly allot a significant quantity of coal to the state government. This coal would then be distributed through Jharkhand's established PDS network, ensuring it reaches citizens at affordable, subsidized prices.
Second, the JMM has called upon Coal India Limited (CIL) to slash its coal prices amidst the growing national crisis. Bhattacharya warned, "A hike in coal prices will adversely affect every sector in the country, especially the power sector." The party argues that proactive price reduction is essential to prevent broader economic disruption.
Festival Season and Stranded Citizens Compound the Issue
The timing of this crisis is particularly acute, with several festivals, including Eid al-Fitr, approaching. The JMM stressed that people require immediate relief to celebrate these occasions without the added burden of a cooking fuel shortage.
Bhattacharya also accused the Central government of failing Indians abroad. "Around 2.5 crore people are working outside India and couldn't return due to disruptions in air and sea routes," he claimed. "Most importantly, lakhs of Muslims, who usually come home during Eid, couldn't do so this time. All this is due to the failed policies of the Centre."
Political Accusations Fly as BJP Responds
The issue has quickly become politicized. A spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) countered the JMM's claims, accusing the regional party of "playing politics over a global crisis." This rebuttal sets the stage for a heated political debate over resource allocation, federalism, and responsibility during international supply chain disruptions.
The JMM's appeal underscores a critical intersection of energy policy, federal-state relations, and public welfare, placing the spotlight on how India's resource-rich states navigate crises when key minerals remain under central control.
