SHILLONG, July 19: The central government on Monday said that it is the state/district administration that needs to stifle illegal mining of coal as it is a law and order issue — a state subject.
Replying to a query by MP Rakesh Sinha during the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, Union Minister of Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi informed the House that illegal coal mining is reported to be carried out mainly from abandoned mines, shallow coal seams situated at isolated places from the mines and are scattered over a large area.
The Union Minister added that cases of illegal mining are detected from the eastern region, predominantly in the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand.
Sinha also asked about the overall production of coal under Coal India Limited’s jurisdiction.
To this, Joshi replied, “Raw coal production of Coal India Limited during 2020-21 was 596.22 million tonnes.”
The Union Minister also clarified that there is no illegal mining in the lease-hold areas of Coal India Limited.
“Coal India Limited endeavours to obtain all statutory clearances/licenses before commencement of coal production. During the course of coal production, all statutory provisions under various Acts, Rules and Regulations are observed for conducting various activities. As such, there is no illegal mining in the lease-hold areas of Coal India Limited,” Joshi said.
The Union Minister also informed the House that the Centre has launched a mobile app ‘Khanan Prahari’ and a web app ‘Coal Mine Surveillance and Management System’ where unauthorised coal mining activities can be reported.
On the measures taken to check illegal coal mining, the union minister said that surprise raids are being conducted jointly by security personnel and law and order authorities of the state government. “Concrete walls have also been erected on the mouth of the abandoned mines to prevent access and illegal activities in these areas. Furthermore, check posts have also been installed at vulnerable points,” Joshi said.
“Committee/task force has been constituted at different levels (block level, sub-divisional level, district level, state level) in some subsidiaries of CIL to monitor different aspects of illegal mining,” he added.
