Lok Sabha Question No. 1807 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Coal Theft Incidents
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Pratima Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1807 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## Coal Theft Incidents

1807.   SHRIMATI  PRATIMA MONDAL:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)           whether  the  incidents  of  theft  and  blackmarketing  of  coal  have  been reported in the country;
- (b)        if so, the details of such incidents reported during each of the last three years and the current year and loss of coal and revenue as a result thereof, company and State-wise; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to check such activities in future?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Theft / pilferage of coal are carried out stealthily and clandestinely. So, it  is  difficult  to  assess  and  specify  the  exact  quantum of coal stolen and losses incurred on account of theft / pilferage 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, its approximate value  and  FIRs  lodged  during  last  three years and the current year  is  at Annexure.

(c):  Law  &  Order  is  a  State  subject,  hence  primarily,  it  is  the  responsibility  of  the State/ District administration to take necessary deterrent action to stop/ curb theft / pilferage of coal.  Steps taken to check Theft / pilferage of coal are under:

-  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.

In  addition  to  the  above,  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 suitable action can be taken by Law & Order authority.

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## Annexure

## Company and State-wise quantity of coal recovered, approximate value and FIR lodged during last three years and current year (Provisional)

| CompanyState     |                  | 2021-22 (tillOctober'21)   | 2021-22 (tillOctober'21)   | 2021-22 (tillOctober'21)   | 2020-21             | 2020-21                  | 2020-21    | 2019-20             | 2019-20                  | 2019-20     | 2018-19             | 2018-19                  | 2018-19     |
|------------------|------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------|------------|---------------------|--------------------------|-------------|---------------------|--------------------------|-------------|
|                  |                  | Qty. Recovered (te)        | Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh)   | FIR lodged                 | Qty. Recovered (te) | Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh) | FIR lodged | Qty. Recovered (te) | Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh) | FIR lodged  | Qty. Recovered (te) | Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh) | FIR lodged  |
| ECL              | WB               | 5438.54                    | 326.370 28                 | 326.370 28                 | 9302.81             | 468.320 28               | 468.320 28 | 13675.06            | 683.750                  | 228         | 11063.39            | 562.817                  | 224         |
| ECL              | Jharkhand        | 2663.25                    | 159.760 2                  | 159.760 2                  | 5251.18             | 264.450 6                | 264.450 6  | 6877.28             | 343.870                  | 82          | 4885.23             | 248.817                  | 135         |
| ECL              | Total ECL        | 8101.79                    | 486.130 30                 | 486.130 30                 | 14553.99            | 732.770 34               | 732.770 34 | 20552.34            | 1027.620310              |             | 15948.62            | 811.634                  | 359         |
| BCCL             | Jharkhand        | 6041.35                    | 159.632 13                 | 159.632 13                 | 1246.14             | 37.162                   | 4          | 1443.37             | 56.149                   | 12          | 5030.29             | 214.840                  | 23          |
| BCCL             | WB               | 18.14                      | 0.430                      | 0                          | 16.00               | 0.372                    | 0          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0           | 682.05              | 24.992                   | 7           |
| BCCL             | Total BCCL       | 6059.49                    | 160.063                    | 13                         | 1262.14             | 37.534                   | 4          | 1443.37             | 56.149                   | 12          | 5712.34             | 239.833                  | 30          |
| CCL              | Jharkhand        | 520.98                     | 14.879                     | 9                          | 838.72              | 23.501                   | 13         | 914.55              | 24.371                   | 13          | 595.51              | 12.753                   | 34          |
| NCL              | MP               | 0.00                       | 0.000                      | 0                          | 86.25               | 2.733                    | 3          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0           | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0           |
| NCL              | UP               | 25.05                      | 0.561                      | 1                          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0           | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0           |
| NCL              | Total NCL        | 25.05                      | 0.561                      | 1                          | 86.25               | 2.733                    | 3          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0           | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0           |
| WCL              | Maharashtra      | 132.13                     | 2.992                      | 4                          | 110.65              | 3.269                    | 5          | 277.03              | 9.624                    | 18          | 261.05              | 7.595                    | 15          |
| WCL              | MP               | 0.00                       | 0.000                      | 0                          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0           | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0           |
| WCL              | Total WCL        | 132.13                     | 2.992                      | 4                          | 110.65              | 3.269                    | 5          | 277.03              | 9.624                    | 18          | 261.05              | 7.595                    | 15          |
| SECL             | MP               | 32.77                      | 0.483                      | 1                          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0          | 0.15                | 0.010                    | 1           | 0.50                | 0.015                    | 1           |
| SECL             | Chhattisgarh0.05 |                            | 0.005                      | 1                          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0          | 36.47               | 0.621                    | 2           | 9.30                | 0.380                    | 2           |
| SECL             | Total SECL       | 32.82                      | 0.488                      | 2                          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 0          | 36.62               | 0.631                    | 3           | 9.80                | 0.395                    | 3           |
| MCL              | Odisha           | 50.01                      | 1.286                      | 3                          | 122.63              | 3.852                    | 4          | 72.33               | 0.624                    | 2           | 257.22              | 4.572                    | 9           |
| NEC              | Assam            | 0.00                       | 0.000                      | 1                          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 9          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 27          | 0.00                | 0.000                    | 21          |
| Total Coal India | Total Coal India | 14897.22                   | 665.838 62                 | 665.838 62                 | 16974.38            | 803.659 72               | 803.659 72 | 23296.24            | 1119.018385              | 1119.018385 | 22784.54            | 1076.782471              | 1076.782471 |