Lok Sabha Question No. 2516 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Illegal Coal Mining
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

## ILLEGAL COAL MINING

## 2516.  SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

- (a)   the  number  of  illegal  coal  mining  cases  reported  in  Madhya  Pradesh  during  the  last  three years and the current year, and the details of action taken by the Government in this regard: and

(b)  the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to curb the illegal mining, theft and many irregularities?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a)    There is no report of illegal mining from the leasehold areas of Coal India Limited (CIL) located in the State of Madhya Pradesh in the last three years & current year.

(b)  Illegal  mining/theft/pilferage  of  coal  is  a  Law  &  Order  problem  which  is  a  State  subject, hence  primarily,  falls  under  the  domain  of  the  State/District  administration  to  take  necessary deterrent action to stop/curb illegal mining/theft/pilferage of coal. The  management  of subsidiary companies lodges FIR with local Thana to take necessary action.

## Steps taken to check Illegal mining of coal:

-  Concrete walls have been erected on the mouth of the abandoned mines to prevent access and illegal activities in these areas.
-  Surprise  raids/checks  being  conducted  jointly  by  security  personnel  and  law  and  order authorities of the concerned State Government.
-  Dumping of the overburden is being done on the outcrop zones.
-  Installation of check-posts at vulnerable points.
-  Training of existing security/CISF personnel, refresher training and basic training of new recruits in security discipline for strengthening the security setup.
-  Maintaining close liaison with the State authorities.
-  Committee/task force has been constituted at different level (Block level, Subdivision level, District level, Sate level) in some subsidiaries of CIL to monitor different aspects of illegal mining.

## Steps taken to check theft/pilferage of coal:

-  RFID  based  Boom  Barriers  and  CCTV  camera  at  weighbridges,  GPRS  based  vehicle tracking  system  with  geofencing  and  CCTV  camera  at  strategic  locations  installed  in mines.
-  Regular FIRs are lodged by the colliery Management and CISF with local Thana. A close watch on the activities of criminals is being kept by CISF.
-  Interaction and liaison with District officials at regular intervals and holding meeting with Officials of the State Administration.
-  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.
-  Armed Guards have been deployed at Railway sidings.
-  Escorting  of  coal  rakes  in  coordination  with  RPF  upto  weighbridge,  is  arranged  in pilferage prone areas.
-  Surprise re-weighment of coal loaded trucks is done at weighbridges.
-  Surprise checks/raids are conducted by flying squads of CISF/security department.
-  Regular patrolling is conducted in and around the mine including OB dumps.
-  Joint patrolling with local police is also being carried out in pilferage prone areas.
-  Check posts have been established at entry/exit points where all coal laden vehicles are physically checked.
-  Security at coal dumps has been strengthened by fencing, proper illumination and round the clock guarding.

The  Government  of  India  has  launched  one  mobile  app  namely 'Khanan  Prahari'  and one  web  app  Coal  Mine  Surveillance  and  Management  System  (CMSMS)  for  reporting unauthorized  coal  mining  activities  so  that  monitoring  and  taking  suitable  action  on  it  can  be done by Law & Order authorities.

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