Authority: High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi
Order Date: 23 September 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Pawan Kumar, son of Naresh Rana, resident of Tandwa, Chatra, seeks appointment under the Land Looser Scheme for 2 acres of land (Khata nos.23 & 26, Kheshra nos.1009, 303, 358 & 362) at village Bukru.
- Respondents include the State of Jharkhand and various officials, with Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) as the principal respondent.
- The land is recorded in the name of the petitioner’s grandfather, Jodhi Rana, and legal heirs of Azim Khalifa; the petitioner and co‑sharers have been in peaceful possession.
- Under the Land Looser Scheme, one employment is to be provided for every two acres; only 0.83 acres of the petitioner’s land were acquired, and 1.17 acres of Azim Khalifa’s land were also acquired.
- CCL entered an agreement with the petitioner and co‑sharers on 14 July 2025 under Section 14(i) of the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, 1957, promising compensation and employment as per the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2012.
- The petitioner and co‑sharers nominated the petitioner for the employment; an affidavit dated 14 July 2025 confirmed no objection from co‑sharers.
- The employment proposal was forwarded to the concerned CCL authority, which recommended the petitioner’s name; medical and age assessments were completed, but no appointment letter has been issued to date.
Final Outcome
- The Court, without adjudicating the merits, directs the competent authority of CCL to take a decision on the petitioner’s claim for appointment under the Land Looser Scheme within eight weeks of receipt/production of this order.
- The competent authority may request any further documents from the petitioner, which must be submitted.
- The decision taken by the competent authority must be communicated to the petitioner within two weeks thereafter.
- The writ petition is disposed of with the above directions.
Topics: Land Looser Scheme, Employment under Land Acquisition