Shah reviews illegal coal mining in high-level meeting

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy held a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review illegal coal mining and theft. The Union Home Secretary, Union Coal Secretary, and senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, CISF, Coal India Limited, and BCCL were present.

During the meeting, the Home Minister expressed concern about the rise in illegal coal mining and theft in Dhanbad and nearby areas. Ministry of Coal officials reported that several measures have been implemented since the October 2025 review. CISF and Coal India Limited officials have been authorised under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to take legal action, conduct searches, and seize illegally mined coal and related equipment. The Union Home Secretary chaired a meeting in December 2025 where the decision was made to establish a Coal Sector Coordination Committee.

However, he emphasised that further action is required to address illegal mining. The Home Minister issued several key directives, including the adoption of the “Zero Coal Leakage Plan” to ensure a comprehensive and timely response to illegal mining and unauthorised coal transportation. He noted that while CISF and Coal India Limited officials have been granted powers under the MMDR Act, these must be exercised rigorously and in coordination with the approved Standard Operating Procedure. The Home Minister instructed the Ministry of Coal to review progress regularly. He requested the involvement of GST authorities to ensure only legally mined coal is used and to prevent illegal coal transport. He also directed the establishment of a system to verify e-way bills for all coal shipments.

Shah directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to include the coal sector on the priority list for CISF deployment, enabling immediate deployment of personnel in vulnerable areas.

He also instructed CISF to form Quick Response Teams and establish multi-layered security in these areas to enable prompt action against illegal mining.

The Home Minister stressed the need to enhance the use of technology. He directed that high-resolution cameras at Integrated Command and Control Centres be used to identify locations and individuals involved in illegal mining. He affirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting public resources, maintaining law and order, and supporting legitimate coal mining operations.