Lok Sabha Question No. 1801 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Coal Accidents due to Illegal Mining
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Chandra Prakash Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1801

ANSWERED ON- 30/07/2025

## COAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO ILLEGAL MINING

## 1801. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minster of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) the details of incidents of landslides, subsidence or explosions have occurred due to illegal coal mining during the last five years, along with the details of loss of life;

(b) the details of liability framework exists for holding illegal operators accountable for accidents and environmental damage caused by unsafe mining practices;

(c) the reasons for failure of Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) policies to reach affected populations, especially in mining-affected tribal and rural areas;

(d) the manner in which the existing policies like the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013, be enforced more effectively in mining zones;

(e) the manner in which the technology like satellite surveillance, drones, AI-based monitoring be more effectively deployed to detect and prevent illegal mining activities; and

(f) the details of Central and State agencies that are responsible for monitoring and curbing illegal coal mining and the manner in which the coordination between them be improved?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a):  Illegal  mining  is  primarily  a  law  and  order  issue,  which  is  in  the  domain  of  the  State Governments concerned.

(b): The liability framework for holding illegal mining operators accountable for accidents and environmental  damage  is  primarily  governed  by  the  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) and the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 (MCRs), along with other applicable environmental and penal laws.  MMDR Act empowers the State Governments to frame rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation, and storage.

(c) The subsidiaries of CIL acquire land for coal mining and related activities mostly under Coal Bearing Areas Act, 1957.  In  such  cases, land  and  asset  compensation  are  provided  as  per  the provisions of First Schedule of RFCTLARR Act 2013 while R&R benefits are accorded as per the provisions of Second Schedule of RFCTLARR Act 2013 and the amenities provided in the new rehabilitation site are as per the Third Schedule of RFCTLARR Act 2013. R&R Policy of CIL, 2012 also provides for R&R benefits to the eligible PAFs.  Option is also given to PAFs to avail better compensation and R&R benefit under the provisions of Section 108 of RFCTLARR Act 2013.  The affected persons are given the R&R benefits including employment as provided under the provisions of land acquisition Acts and policies.

- (d)  The  regular  follow-up  with  the  state  authority  for  expediting  the  land  acquisition  and possession related process and payment of demand so raised is made by the Coal companies.
- (e) & (f):  To prevent and curb illegal coal mining and theft, a comprehensive set of measures is being implemented within the command areas of CIL subsidiaries. These include the use of digital surveillance tools, active coordination with law enforcement, and deployment of dedicated security personnel.

One of the methods for monitoring and detecting illegal coal mining is CMSMS (Coal Mines Surveillance & Management System) & Khanan Prahari Mobile app where general public may lodge their complaint with respect to illegal mining and action is being taken by nodal officers of respective area. The 'Khanan Prahari' App and Coal Mine Surveillance & Management System (CMSMS) are being utilized  to  enable  public  reporting  and  real-time  monitoring.  Complaints lodged through CMSMS are verified jointly by State authorities and designated nodal officers.

Major preventive actions being taken include:

- Deployment of security forces comprising departmental personnel, CISF, state industrial security units, and private agencies at strategic locations and check-posts.
- Dozing and filling of illegal mining sites, with on-ground action undertaken jointly with local police and CISF.
- Regular patrolling and surprise raids by security teams, often accompanied by police, to detect and eliminate illegal mining activities.
- Installation  of  surveillance  systems ,  including  thousands  of  CCTV  cameras,  GPS tracking devices on coal transport vehicles and mining machinery, and RFID-based boom barriers at entry/exit points.
- Drone-based  surveillance has  been  introduced  or  piloted  to  enhance  oversight  in vulnerable areas.
- Coordination with district task forces chaired by district authorities, with participation from coal companies and local police, where periodic reviews and joint actions are carried out.
- Community  engagement ,  including  awareness  campaigns  in  nearby  villages  through signboards,  notice  pasting,  and  meetings  with  local  leaders  to  discourage  unauthorized trespassing.
- Immediate seizure of illegally mined coal and handing over of apprehended miscreants to police, wherever such activities are detected.

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