Lok Sabha Question No. 5506 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-06
Subject: Illegal Mining/Theft in Coal Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: RAJENDRA AGRAWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5506 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2017

## Illegal Mining/Theft in Coal Mines

## 5506.  SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the loss of coal on account of illegal mining and theft in various coal mines in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to increase security in mines where illegal mining and theft have been detected;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to detect and prevent illegal mining and theft in the coal mines of the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES.

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) As informed by Coal India Limited, theft / pilferage and illegal mining of coal is carried out stealthily and clandestinely. As such, it is not possible to specify the exact quantum of coal stolen and losses incurred on account of theft / pilferage and illegal mining of coal.

However, as per raids conducted by security personnel as well as joint raids with the law and order authorities of the concerned State Government, the quantity of coal recovered and its approximate value during the last three years and the current year are as under:

## ILLEGAL MINING /THEFT PILFERAGE IN COAL MINES STATE-WISE

| State                  | 2013-14             | 2013-14                  | 2014-15             | 2014-15                  | 2015-16             | 2015-16                  | 2016-17 (upto Dec'16) (Provisional)   | 2016-17 (upto Dec'16) (Provisional)   |
|------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|                        | Qty. Recovered (te) | Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh) | Qty. Recovered (te) | Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh) | Qty. Recovered (te) | Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh) | Qty. Recovered (te)                   | Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh)              |
| West Bengal            | 2032.84             | 45.642                   | 2443.81             | 52.872                   | 5439.11             | 270.214                  | 6952.28                               | 343.165                               |
| Jharkhand              | 15734.05            | 593.148                  | 17079.89            | 654.746                  | 14928.95            | 668.6                    | 12753.76                              | 565.473                               |
| Chattisgarh            | 39                  | 1.058                    | 3                   | 0.12                     | 57.5                | 2.105                    | 25                                    | 1.5                                   |
| Maharashtra            | 61.81               | 0.935                    | 133.36              | 2.79                     | 53                  | 1.12                     | 130.8                                 | 3.28                                  |
| Orissa                 | 33.23               | 0.332                    | 74.3                | 0.716                    | 63.1                | 0.631                    | 47.9                                  | 0.281                                 |
| Assam                  | 249.45              | 12.782                   | 13.03               | 0.62                     | 0                   | 0                        | 0                                     | 0                                     |
| Madhya Pradesh         | 33.01               | 1.521                    | 49.53               | 1.95                     | 0                   | 0                        | 3                                     | 0.18                                  |
| Coal India(State Wise) | 18183.39            | 655.418                  | 19796.92            | 713.814                  | 20541.66            | 942.67                   | 19912.74                              | 913.879                               |

(b)  &  (c)  Directorate  General  Resettlement  (DGR)  sponsored  ESM  security  agencies  and Departmental  security  forces  have  been  engaged  in  different  mines  of  CIL  to  prevent pilferage  and  theft  of  coal.  Further  in  some  areas  CISF  security  personnel  have  been deployed.

(d) Following steps taken to check such incidents in future:-

- (i) Development of E-surveillance through use of Information Technology
-  Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/ General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) for Vehicle Tracking
-  Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV)
-  Electronic Weigh Bridges
-  Geo-fencing
- (ii) Rat holes created by illegal mining are being dozed off and filled up with stone and debris wherever possible.
- (iii) Concrete walls have been erected on the mouth of the abandoned mines to prevent access and illegal activities in these areas.
- (iv) Regular raids/checks being conducted by security personnel and static security pickets including armed guards during the night hours are being deployed at pithead depots.
- (v) Surprise raids/checks being conducted jointly by security personnel and law and order authorities of the concerned State Government.
- (vi) Fencing is being constructed at the various illegal mining sites along with displaying of signboards mentioning 'Dangerous and Prohibited Place.'
- (vii) Dumping  of  the  overburden  is  being  done  on  the  outcrop  zones,  which  are  not required to be mined.
- (viii) Collection of intelligence reports about illegal  coal  depots  and  illegal  movement  of coal and informing district authorities of the same for taking preventive action.
- (ix) Installation of check-posts at vulnerable points to check transport documents;
- (x) Security at coal dumps are improved by wall fencing, proper illumination and round the clock guarding.
- (xi) Regular patrolling is conducted in and around the mine including OB dumps.
- (xii) Armed Guards have been deployed at Railway sidings.
- (xiii) Joint patrolling with local police is also being carried out in areas..
- (xiv) Escorting of coal rakes in coordination with RPF up to weighbridge, is arranged in pilferage prone areas.
- (xv) Challans for coal transportation by trucks outside the district are being issued after fixing  hologram  and  putting  signatures  of  authorized  officials  of  CISF  to  check pilferage.
- (xvi) Regular  FIRs  are  lodged  by  the  Management  of  the  collieries  and  CISF  with  local Thana against the pilferage/theft of coal. A close watch on the activities of criminals is being maintained by CISF.
- (xvii) IT initiatives have been made operational to check theft/pilferage of coal.
- (xviii) Inter-action and liaison with District officials at regular intervals and holding meeting with DC & District Administration.

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