Lok Sabha Question No. 2926 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Coal Mines Rating
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Smt. Himadri Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2926 ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025

## Coal Mines Rating

†2926.  Smt. Himadri Singh:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  coal  mines  assessed  under  the  latest  cycle  of  the  Star  Rating Programme along with the ratings given in various categories and the current status of  South  Eastern  Coalfield  Ltd.  (SECL)  which  operates  in  the  Shahdol  Lok  Sabha constituency;
- (b) whether any mine has been penalised or directed to take corrective action for noncompliance with environmental and safety standards and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the criteria adopted in the revised star rating framework especially those related to Environmental Social Governance (ESG) worker safety and emission monitoring; and
- (d)  whether the Government proposes to expand the star rating system to include sustainability-linked incentives or public disclosure mechanisms to enhance accountability and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The latest cycle of the concluded Star Rating programme is 2023-24. Under the cycle, 383 coal and lignite mines were evaluated. The ratings awarded across different categories are as under: -

| All Companies   |   Open Cast mines (Nos.) |   Underground mines (Nos.) |   Mix mines (Nos.) |   Total mines (Nos.) |
|-----------------|--------------------------|----------------------------|--------------------|----------------------|
| 5 Star          |                       31 |                         11 |                  0 |                   42 |
| 4 Star          |                       70 |                         30 |                  1 |                  101 |
| 3 Star          |                       63 |                         69 |                  5 |                  137 |
| 2 Star          |                       35 |                         30 |                  4 |                   69 |
| 1 Star          |                       21 |                          4 |                  1 |                   26 |
| No Star         |                        8 |                          0 |                  0 |                    8 |
| Total           |                      228 |                        144 |                 11 |                  383 |

The Star Rating awarded for 2023-24 to mines of SECL falling under Shahdol Lok Sabha constituency  are as under:-

| No. of Coal Mines Awarded for Star Rating in Shahdol Lok-Sabha Constituency   | Star Rating Given   | Star Rating Given   | Star Rating Given   | Star Rating Given   | Star Rating Given   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------|
|                                                                               | 5 Star              | 4 Star              | 3 Star              | 2 Star              | 1 Star              |
| 26                                                                            | 02                  | 05                  | 10                  | 07                  | 02                  |

(b):  Coal  mines  are  regularly  inspected  by  regulatory  authorities,  i.e.  Ministry  of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC)/ State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), and necessary corrective measures are undertaken by mine authorities to address any shortcomings observed by the regulatory authorities.

In FY 2024-25, penalties for environmental non-compliance have been paid by mines of  Western  Coalfields  Limited  (Bhanegaon  OC,  Singhori  OC,  Amalgamated  Inder Kamptee deep OC, Silewara OC, Kolgaon expn OC), South Eastern Coalfields Limited (Gevra OC, Jampali OC), and Northern Coalfields Limited (Bina OC).

No coal mines have been subjected to financial penalties for non-compliance with safety standards. However, the Directorate General of Mines Safety advises corrective measures in case of non-compliance with statutory provisions.

(c): There are seven broad parameters adopted for evaluation of star rating of coal and lignite mines which are (i) Mining operations/ Mine geometry related parameters, (ii)  Environment  related  parameters,  (iii)  Adoption  of  technologies:  Best  mining practices, (iv) Economic performance, (v) Rehabilitation and resettlement parameters, (vi)  Worker  welfare  related  parameters,  and  (vii)  Safety  and  security  related parameters.

(d): There is no such plan under consideration of the Government.

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