Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Suvendu Adhikari Vows to Protect Purulia Hills From Exploitation
Suvendu Adhikari said the government wants to protect the hills and natural beauty of Purulia.
He said mining and building projects that harm the environment would not be allowed.
A Kurmi community leader had raised concerns about a plan to remove and sell rare earth minerals from the hills.
Adhikari also said some police cases against Kurmi protesters would be withdrawn.
The state has asked for the Kurmi community to be exempted from the proposed Uniform Civil Code.
He said Kurmali and Rajbanshi may be added to the Constitution’s language list.
The government has set aside Rs 50 crore for the Kurmi Development Board.
It also announced 125 days of guaranteed work at Rs 300 per day.
A meeting about regional development is planned at Nabanna on September 30.
Suvendu Adhikari said West Bengal would block unscientific commercial mining and real estate development in Purulia’s hills.
His remarks followed Kurmi leader Ajit Prasad Mahato’s concerns about a proposed central initiative to excavate and auction rare earth minerals.
Adhikari announced that police cases against Kurmi community members linked to a Jungle Mahal rail blockade would be withdrawn.
The state has sought exemption for the Kurmi community from the proposed Uniform Civil Code, he said.
Adhikari announced Rs 50 crore for the Kurmi Development Board and a 125-day jobs programme paying Rs 300 per day.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Kurmi community leader Ajit Prasad Mahato, and other government and community representatives.
- What
- Adhikari announced environmental protections, community-related policy measures, funding, legal relief, and development programmes for Purulia.
- When
- The announcements were made on Sunday; a follow-up meeting was announced for September 30.
- Where
- At the Karam Mahotsav in Chakoltor, Karadih, under Purulia-I block, West Bengal; the follow-up meeting will be held at Nabanna.
- Why
- The announcements addressed concerns about mining, ecological damage, community rights, past protest cases, employment, and regional development.
Environmental Protection
Mineral Development
Mining in Purulia’s hills
Environmental Protection
The West Bengal government said it would protect Purulia’s natural beauty and reject unscientific commercial mining or real estate development.
Mineral Development
A proposed central government initiative would excavate and auction rare earth minerals from the hills; the article does not provide a detailed justification from its proponents.
Economic use of regional resources
Environmental Protection
Kurmi community concerns focused on the possible ecological effects of mineral excavation, and the state said environmental protection would take priority.
Mineral Development
The proposed excavation and auction plan represents an effort to commercially develop mineral resources, although its environmental safeguards are not described in the article.
- Environmental position
- The state government said it would oppose unscientific commercial exploitation of Purulia’s hills.
- Proposed initiative
- A central government initiative would excavate and auction rare earth minerals from the Purulia hills, according to the report.
- Kurmi Development Board allocation
- The current state budget includes Rs 50 crore for the board.
- Employment programme
- The announced programme guarantees 125 days of work at Rs 300 per day, or Rs 34,500 in total.
- Legal cases
- The government said it would withdraw police cases against Kurmi community members linked to a Jungle Mahal rail blockade.
- Language recognition
- The Centre has initiated a process for including Kurmali and Rajbanshi in the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule, according to Adhikari.
- Planned meeting
- A high-level meeting with elected representatives and Kurmi leaders was announced for September 30 at Nabanna.