Ecocide Being Executed With Full Support of PM Modi: Congress on Tara Coal Block Auction

Congress Attacks Centre Over Tara Coal Block Auction

The Congress on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government over the recent auction of the Tara coal block in Chhattisgarh’s Hasdeo-Aranya region.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh described the development as another example of what he called an “ecocide” being carried out with the “full support” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The allegations come amid longstanding concerns over coal mining in the ecologically sensitive Hasdeo-Aranya forest region and opposition from local communities.

Tara Coal Block Located in Biodiversity-Rich Hasdeo-Aranya

The Tara coal block is located within the Hasdeo-Aranya ecosystem, an important forested region of Chhattisgarh that has been at the centre of prolonged debates over coal mining and environmental protection.

According to Ramesh, the block covers around 5,000 acres, of which more than 4,000 acres consist of dense forest.

He argued that the scale of the forest area at risk makes compensatory afforestation an inadequate solution to the potential ecological impact of mining.

Congress Points to Adani-Linked Auction Winner

A major part of the Congress criticism concerns the identity of the successful bidder.

Ramesh said the Tara coal block was won by CG Syn-Gas and Chemicals Ltd, which he described as a wholly owned subsidiary of Mundra Synenergy Ltd, itself a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises.

The Congress has used the development to renew its broader political allegations concerning the Modi government’s relationship with the Adani group. These are political allegations by the opposition and should not be treated as an established finding of wrongdoing.

Earlier Chhattisgarh Opposition to Mining in Hasdeo

Ramesh also highlighted the Chhattisgarh Assembly’s earlier position on coal mining in Hasdeo-Aranya.

According to the Congress leader, the state Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on July 26, 2022, opposing further allocation or auction of coal blocks in the region.

The Congress has argued that the latest auction therefore represents a reversal of an earlier state-level position on protecting the Hasdeo forests.

State Government Had Asked Centre to Exclude Tara

The Congress has also pointed to a June 2023 communication from the Chhattisgarh government to the Union Coal Ministry seeking the exclusion of nine coal blocks, including Tara, from the auction process.

Earlier reporting confirms that the state government had cited environmental concerns while asking the Centre to keep several coal blocks out of commercial mining auctions. Tara was subsequently withdrawn from the 2023 commercial auction process.

Tara Was Earlier Removed From Auction Process

The Tara block has previously been at the centre of an auction controversy.

In 2023, the Union Coal Ministry withdrew Tara from the commercial coal mining auction process following objections from the Chhattisgarh government. At that time, the block was reported to have significant forest cover, including around 15.96 square kilometres of very dense forest.

The latest auction therefore marks a significant change from the block’s earlier withdrawal from the commercial auction process.

Congress Raises Forest and Wildlife Concerns

Ramesh has warned that mining in the Tara block could result in extensive forest clearance. He claimed that more than 10 lakh trees could eventually be affected.

He also argued that mining around the Lemru Elephant Reserve could disrupt the movement corridor of elephants and increase pressure on wildlife.

These figures and environmental-impact claims were made by the Congress as part of its criticism of the auction.

Tribal Communities and Long-Running Protests

The Congress has also highlighted the role of local Adivasi and other forest-dependent communities in opposing mining activities in the Hasdeo region.

Ramesh said communities had been campaigning for around 15 years through Gram Sabha resolutions, public protests, sit-ins and marches, demanding protection of forests and livelihoods.

The Hasdeo mining issue has consequently developed into both an environmental and a tribal-rights debate.

Congress Questions Environmental Policy

The latest criticism also reflects the wider political debate over India’s coal and environmental policies.

Congress has argued that the government’s decision to auction coal blocks in ecologically sensitive regions conflicts with the need to protect biodiversity and forest-dependent communities.

The party has particularly questioned why Tara was brought back into the auction process after previously being removed from the commercial auction.

Political Battle Over Hasdeo Intensifies

The Tara auction is likely to become another flashpoint in the political debate between the Congress and the BJP over natural resources, environmental protection and corporate participation in the mining sector.

Congress has framed the issue as a question of ecological protection and alleged preferential treatment, while the broader policy debate involves balancing coal requirements with environmental and community concerns.

The latest Congress statement intensifies that political confrontation.

What Happens Next?

The focus is now likely to shift towards the regulatory and environmental approvals required before mining activity can progress.

Environmental clearances, forest-related permissions, land issues and the concerns of local communities could all remain important factors in determining how the Tara project moves forward.

The political opposition is also expected to continue raising the issue at both the state and national levels.

Conclusion

The Congress has strongly opposed the recent auction of the Tara coal block in Chhattisgarh’s Hasdeo-Aranya ecosystem, with Jairam Ramesh describing it as an “ecocide” allegedly backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party has highlighted the region’s dense forests, wildlife corridors, tribal livelihoods and the earlier opposition of the Chhattisgarh government to mining in the area. The auction has also drawn political attention because the successful bidder has been identified by Congress as an Adani-linked company. As the debate over coal production, environmental protection and community rights continues, Tara is likely to remain a major flashpoint in India’s mining and environmental policy debate.