Coal mine closure in Assam affects local economy, livelihood of people: Study.

Kolkata, Sep 8 (PTI) The closure of coal mines at Margherita in Assam’s Tinsukia district has not only affected the local economy but also resulted in massive job losses. Workers who have lost their livelihood have migrated to remote places. This fact has come to the fore in the study of the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT-Kanpur).

A ground-level study conducted by the Just Transition Study Center (JTRC) of IIT-Kanpur has revealed that the number of people dependent on coal after suspension of mining activities due to lack of consistent support from ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ and ‘District Mineral Foundation Trust’. The situation could get worse.

According to the report titled ‘Life after coal mine closure’ released by the JTRC survey, 108 out of 172 respondents said that the livelihoods of coal workers and non-working residents of Margherita have changed drastically after the mines closed.

The report said that 52 percent of the people said that their income has decreased, while 20 percent of the people have lost their jobs. At the same time, there has been a slowdown in the business of 13 percent.

The owner of a local sweet shop told that when the mines were open, he used to earn three to four lakh rupees per month. Due to the closure of the mines, their business has declined significantly.

According to the report, after the closure of the mines, the workers are left with no option but to pay more wages for less money.