(a) whether methane gas reserves have been found in Devghara Village
of Jharkhand ;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith estimated availability of gas ;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to explore gas from the said reserves;
(d) whether the Government has received representations regarding problems being faced by the villagers of the said site;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the action taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a) to (c) Devghara Village of Jharkhand is located in the CBM block Jharia which
has been awarded to ONGC and CIL consortium for exploration and production of
Coal Bed Methane (CBM). CBM reserves have not been established so far in this
block, which is at exploration stage.
(d) & (e) The Devghara Gramin Samiti has submitted a representation to ONGC with
the following demands:-
(i) Complete security with regard to financial rehabilitation and employment
(ii) Land acquisition through Government should not be permitted without permanent
rehabilitation package and unemployed youth of village shall have to be engaged in
construction activities.
(iii) Training in skilled jobs for one person of each family of the village will have to be
arranged and Government shall ensure employment for them.
(iv) ONGC shall give importance to development and progress of Devghara village.
(f) The local youth are regularly engaged by ONGC in consultation with the Village
Samiti for construction activities. ONGC as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility
Policy, takes up welfare activities in its project areas.