Lok Sabha Question No. 152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-07
Subject: Illegal Purchase and Coal Theft
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Bholanath (B.P. Saroj), Khan Saumitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 152 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.12.2022

## Illegal Purchase and Coal Theft

## 152.     SHRI BHOLANATH (B.P. SAROJ): SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether the Government is aware of the illegal purchase and theft of coal from coal mines during the last three years in the Country, State/UT-wise including Asansol and Durgapur of West Bengal;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof along with the number of theft incidents occurred during the said period especially in Asansol and Durgapur of West Bengal; and
- (c)   the steps/action taken by the Government in this regard?

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

- (a) & (b): The reply in respect of Coal India Limited is as under:

During the course of coal production by Coal India Limited, all statutory provisions under various  Acts, Rules and Regulations are observed for conducting various activities. Theft / pilferage of coal is carried out stealthily and clandestinely. First Information Reports (FIRs) are lodged whenever any incident of theft / pilferage of coal comes to the notice of the coal companies. FIRs  lodged  in  cases  of  theft  /  pilferage  of  coal  during  the  last  three  years, company-wise and State-wise is given below:

(Provisional)

| Name of the Company   | State     | FIR LODGED   | FIR LODGED   | FIR LODGED   |
|-----------------------|-----------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
|                       |           | 2021-22      | 2020-21      | 2019-20      |
| ECL                   | WB        | 45           | 28           | 228          |
|                       | Jharkhand | 7            | 6            | 82           |
|                       | Sub Total | 52           | 34           | 310          |
| BCCL                  | Jharkhand | 43           | 4            | 12           |
|                       | WB        | 0            | 0            | 0            |
|                       | Sub Total | 43           | 4            | 12           |
| CCL                   | Jharkhand | 52           | 13           | 13           |
| NCL                   | MP        | 0            | 3            | 0            |

|                    | UP                 |   1 |   0 |   0 |
|--------------------|--------------------|-----|-----|-----|
|                    | Sub Total          |   1 |   3 |   0 |
| WCL                | Maharashtra        |  19 |   5 |  18 |
|                    | MP                 |   0 |   0 |   0 |
|                    | Sub Total          |  19 |   5 |  18 |
| SECL               | MP                 |   2 |   0 |   1 |
|                    | Chhattisgarh       |   1 |   0 |   2 |
|                    | Sub Total          |   3 |   0 |   3 |
| MCL                | Odisha             |  33 |   4 |   2 |
| NEC                | Assam              |   7 |   9 |  27 |
| Coal India Limited | Coal India Limited | 210 |  72 | 385 |

(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:

-  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 up to 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.

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